Why Sabah leaders now mute on revenue owed by Putrajaya

KOTA KINABALU - A Sabah activist has questioned ruling politicians in the state for “going silent” on the issue of returning money owed by the federal government, despite championing the issue before the general election last year.



“Even Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, who is now the international trade and industry minister, said before that the federal government owed Sabah RM1 trillion under MA63,” said activist Jamain Sarudin from Solidariti Rakyat Pro-Sabah, referring to the Malaysia Agreement of 1963.

“Now he has gone quiet. If those allied with the federal government are not heard, what more those who are outside that circle,” he added.

His comments come after former foreign minister Anifah Aman urged Putrajaya to pay what is due to Sabah and Sarawak, following Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s announcement of a record collection in direct taxes.

Last week, Lim said the government collected RM137.035 billion in direct tax collections in 2018, more than the previous government’s record of RM133.700 billion set in 2014.

Anifah said the amount would be enough to pay what Putrajaya owed the two states.

Under the Federal Constitution, Sabah is entitled to receive 40% of the net revenue derived by the federal government in the state.

In November, Lim said Putrajaya had wanted to give Sabah its 40% revenue but did not have enough funds to do so.

Another activist said it was unlikely that Putrajaya would channel the billions from the tax revenue to the two states.

“It is constitutionally mandatory for the federal government to pay the 40% to Sabah,” said former state assemblyman James Ligunjang, referring to the 40% net revenue promised by the federal government to Sabah as stated in MA63.

If Putrajaya does not pay up, he warned, “the people of Sabah will get more angry with the federal government”.

“It’s been going on for 55 years now and the federal government can no longer brush aside this constitutional provision. We need the funds for our development,” he said.

Jamain said the 40% from the amount collected would constitute about RM40 billion to Sabah.

“I support the call by Anifah or any other who fights for Sabah’s rights, including Warisan, but I doubt the federal government will entertain this call.”

He said the federal government had previously given excuses, citing the country’s debt and the need for more funds before the revenue is returned. It had also said that Sabah does not need it for now, he added.

By Durie Rainer Fong