By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 17: The Sarawak government dipping into its own coffers to build major infrastructure projects is not a matter of dependence on the federal government, but to ensure that roads, bridges, and other infrastructure are delivered without unnecessary delay for the benefit of Sarawakians.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said this in response to remarks by Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan, who questioned why the State government was using its own money to finance major infrastructure projects that he believed should ordinarily be funded by the federal government despite the State’s contributions.
In a statement published on Thursday (July 16), Voon said this is considering the billions of ringgit generated from the region through taxes, petroleum, gas, and other economic activities that flow to the federal government each year, raising the question of financial fairness for Sarawakians.
Voon further argued that Sarawak’s financial contribution to the nation raised questions over whether Sarawak was being asked to bear infrastructure costs twice, first through the wealth generated and contributed to the federal government, and again through its own State funds.
Yap, responding in his own statement, said that by financing its own projects, the Sarawak government has demonstrated decisive leadership by pre-financing strategic infrastructure projects, as delays in federal funding may affect the timely delivery of essential public infrastructure.
He further said that Sarawak can fund its own projects due to its strong financial position, which resulted from prudent fiscal management, strategic economic planning, implementation of the State Sales Tax (SST) on petroleum products, and the development of new economic sectors, including the green economy.
“These initiatives have strengthened Sarawak’s financial independence and enabled the State to fund more of its own development priorities,” said Yap.
Meanwhile, he also called on Voon to engage in an honest and constructive discussion on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), based on constitutional facts and tangible outcomes rather than political slogans.
“The people of Sarawak deserve an honest discussion on MA63 based on constitutional facts and practical outcomes, not slogans or oversimplified narratives,” he said.
He stressed that constitutional discussions on Sarawak’s financial rights should be approached carefully and accurately, noting that Sarawak’s constitutional rights under Article 112D and MA63 must be pursued through proper constitutional processes, constructive negotiations, and, where appropriate, judicial determination.
Yap also noted that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has consistently secured meaningful progress in advancing Sarawak’s autonomy, which includes successfully negotiating a significant increase in Sarawak’s annual Special Grant from RM16 million to RM600 million, securing the transfer of Bintulu Port from the federal government, and expanding Sarawak’s role in implementing federal development projects valued below RM50 million.
“These achievements demonstrate that Sarawak’s rights are strengthened through persistent negotiations, sound policy, prudent financial management, and firm constitutional action and not merely political rhetoric.
“Sarawak’s autonomy is not advanced through slogans alone. It is strengthened through sound governance, firm constitutional negotiations, strategic litigation where necessary, and prudent financial management.
“GPS will continue to pursue practical solutions that safeguard our rights while delivering real progress and a better future for all Sarawakians.” — DayakDaily
