TAWAU: Warisan has refuted Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) alleged attempt to mislead voters on the 40 per cent net revenue entitlement, with its Deputy Chief of Information Justin Wong and Supreme Council Member Calvin Chong saying there is a clear difference between Warisan’s approach and that of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and PH.
They said that during Warisan’s administration, any special grants from the Federal Government were received ‘without prejudice’ to Sabah’s constitutional right to the 40 per cent net revenue, whereas PH’s approach caused a loss of autonomy, leaving Sabah dependent on “negotiations” to reclaim its rights.
They explained that during Warisan’s time in government, the party received a special federal grant of over RM20 million in 2018, which increased to RM53 million in 2019.
“That is true, but it was done without affecting Sabah’s 40 per cent net revenue entitlement, so the State’s position remained unchanged,” they said in a joint statement.
“In contrast, during GRS–PH’s five years in power, although Sabah received RM500 million in special grants, the allocation was gazetted, meaning the 40 per cent net revenue claim effectively lost its autonomy.
“That is why we can now see the PH-GRS government has now been reduced to having to ‘negotiate’ to reclaim Sabah’s rights,” they said.
“As Sabahans, we must understand that the 40 per cent net revenue entitlement is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. It is the very foundation upon which Sabah joined and formed Malaysia. This is not something to be negotiated, it is Sabah’s rightful entitlement,” they said further.
Wong and Chong said that Warisan has always maintained good relations with the Federal Government and stands aligned with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but in fighting for Sabah’s rights, Warisan firmly believes that autonomy must never be compromised.
Wong and Chong were responding to claims by PH leaders accusing other parties of remaining silent on the 40 per cent net revenue issue while in government.
“This is where the difference in leadership can be clearly seen. Warisan secured special grants without compromising Sabah’s 40 per cent net revenue rights, while GRS and PH, despite receiving RM500 million, lost the autonomy over the claim,” they said.
Both leaders also reminded voters that in 2018, during Warisan’s administration, the late Datuk Liew Vui Keong had raised the issue of reviewing and implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in Parliament.
In addition, Warisan President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal had successfully implemented 17 of the 21 key demands before the party lost power in 2020.
“PH accused other parties of not fighting for the 40 per cent net revenue issue while in power, but why didn’t they themselves resolve it during their five years in government?
You are the government and have a good relationship with the Federal leadership, so why do Sabah’s rights still need to be ‘discussed’ instead of implemented directly? As the ruling coalition, do you not have the power to fight for it?” they questioned.
“It is time for us to return the decision to the people of Sabah, let Sabahans determine their own future. Warisan, which has fought for this right from the very beginning, is ready to lead Sabah towards catching up with national development in the next five years,” they added.
