By Shikin Louis
SIMANGGANG, Sept 16: Sarawak’s demand to collect stamp duty from land sales is among unresolved issues on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiations with the Federal government, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He shared that he and Sarawak Cabinet members were in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, last week in an effort to resolve matters related to MA63 in a special meeting presided over by Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“A total of 11 matters have been resolved, but some still require separate discussion between the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister of Sabah (Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor) and myself (Abang Johari).
“Among the pending matters is the right regarding the authority to collect stamp duty or taxes that must be paid when making a house sale agreement which can reach hundreds of millions of ringgits a year in Sarawak,” he said in a speech text read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during Sarawak-level Malaysia Day celebration held at Sri Aman Sports Complex and broadcast live on Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on YouTube today.
Nevertheless, Abang Johari is confident that all matters under MA63 will be resolved as long as the Federal government and the governments of Sarawak and Sabah can sit together to discuss in an atmosphere guided by the concept of ‘Malaysia Madani’ and emphasise mutual respect.
He also thanked the Prime Minister, who has decided to double the special interim grant allocation for Sabah and Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution from RM300 million to RM600 million.
The Malaysia Day celebration was graced by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn who is the responsible minister for the Celebration; Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Minister of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; and Deputy State Secretary (Economic and Development Plan) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel. — DayakDaily
