By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 20: The Sarawak government has submitted the proposal for member candidate(s) to be represented on the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), but the federal government has yet to come back with a response.
Informing this, Deputy Minister of Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali gave assurance that the Sarawak government will continue to discuss and negotiate with the federal government to ensure all demands and claims from Sarawak can be resolved successfully.
“This (Sarawak’s representation on IRB) is important to ensure the Sarawak government is aware of the country’s financial position.
“This, among others, will assist Sarawak government’s efforts in discussions and negotiations on Special Grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution,” she said in responding to Dato Ibrahim Baki (PBB-Satok) during the Questions and Answers Session on the fourth day of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today.
Sharifah Hasidah added that the discussion on the formula for the Special Grant under Article 112D is still ongoing.
Other demands and claims from the Sarawak government that are still under negotiation, she informed, include the proposal to increase the number of Dewan Rakyat members from Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament; judiciary administration issues in Sabah and Sarawak; and the proposal for the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak and Rural Water Development Department (JBALB) to be categorised as Technical Department under Treasury Instructions 182.
Sharifah Hasidah also informed the august House that among the matters that have been resolved through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Special Council Committee Meeting include the Commercial Settlement Agreement (CSA) between the Sarawak government and Petronas, recognising Sarawak’s rights to impose Sales Tax on petroleum products and managing gas distribution, as well as amendments to Article 1(2), 160(20) and 161A (6) and (7) of Federal Constitution effective from February 11, 2022. — DayakDaily
