By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 14: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Sarawak Financial Secretary’s Office will spearhead discussions on the formula for Sarawak’s special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, reveals Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah said the matter, agreed upon at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) level, will first be negotiated between federal and State financial authorities before being brought to the technical committee chaired by him.
“Usually the discussions will involve MOF and also the State Financial Secretary’s Office,” he told reporters when met at Darul Ibadah Mosque in Kampung Semariang Lama here earlier tonight.
He said MOF has already begun discussions with Sabah and will next engage Sarawak.
Sarawak, he noted, already has its own proposed formula, while the federal government will evaluate the matter from its own perspective.
Fadillah also stressed that no formula has been finalised at this stage.
“They still need to discuss. What the formula will be, we do not know yet. Once it is finalised at the committee level, we will inform the media,” he said.
When asked how confident he was that the federal government would adopt Sarawak’s proposed formula, Fadillah said the decision ultimately rests with the committee.
“It depends. It has to be decided by the committee. I cannot pre-empt the decision,” he emphasised.
Fadillah was commenting on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s remarks yesterday (Feb 13), where the Sarawak government proposed a 20 per cent revenue-based formula for special grant allocations under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
He said the State is seeking a formula that would link the special grant to a share of the revenue it generates, rather than relying on a fixed or arbitrary amount. Under the proposal, Sarawak would receive 20 per cent of its revenue as part of the Article 112D special grant.
Earlier, Fadillah presented annual grants amounting to RM330,000 to 30 mosques and 60 suraus within the Petra Jaya constituency in a humble ceremony at the mosque. — DayakDaily
