KUCHING, Dec 15: A Sarawakian must sit in the federal Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to have knowledge of the overall national revenue and demand for the appropriate annual special grants under Article 112d of the Federal Constitution for Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg called for this to be reinstated now that the Federal Constitution is bound by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) following the passing of amendment bills in Parliament yesterday.
With Sarawakians represented in LHDN, he pointed out that the Sarawak government can exercise Sarawak’s rights by knowing how much revenue is entitled to Sarawak from the revenue generated by the country.
“In our manifesto, we have achieved (a small) victory and are now left with the details.
“One of the matters under MA63 and IGC (Inter-Governmental Report) is for a Sarawakian to be in the federal LHDN, including Sabah.
“Sarawak and Sabah must have representatives in LHDN based on IGC (Inter-Governmental Report).
“With that, the person will know how much is the revenue generated by the country.
“I do not want the Federal government to provide grants to Sarawak based on Article 112d without specifying the formula.
“We want the formula to be there. That is our right to know the revenue to be given to Sarawak,” he said during a meet-the-people session at Nanga Tada in Kanowit today.
On a regional agency to develop the Rejang Security Command (Rascom) area, Abang Johari vowed to provide RM1.5 billion which is similar to the allocation given to Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) to spur development in Ngemah, Machan and other surrounding areas.
“I agreed in principle to establish a regional agency where we study where is the border and the mode of implementation.
“We may use the model of Rascom and we will plan the development including the infrastructure,” he added.
Among those present at the event were Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Deputy State Secretary (Socio-Economic Transformation) Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Urban Development and Natural Resources Ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Zaidi Mahdi, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) acting president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, PRS Women chief Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie, PRS secretary-general Dato Janang Bungsu and Sibu Resident Wong Hie Sieng. — DayakDaily
