BINTULU, Nov 24: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg vows to continue fighting for Sarawak’s rights concerning a special annual grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
He said during Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s reign as the federal government, Sarawak did not receive the special grant.
He also mentioned the current federal government’s attempts to provide only RM16 million for Sarawak but he questioned the basis of the calculation and considered the figure unacceptable.
“So I asked (the federal government) on ‘what basis are you giving (the amount to) us? There must be a specific formula.’ “Bukan kamek orang manok diberi gia ajak. Orang Sarawak bukan manok (We are not chickens for you to simply give feed (the grant). Sarawakians are not chickens). What is your formula?
“However, they could not provide us the formula. But Insya-Allah, the current government is working on the matter and will give us the formula,” he said when speaking at a dinner reception in Bintulu tonight.
Abang Johari also explained that whatever revenue which is collected from Sarawak must be returned fairly to the State.
“They have collected stamp duty in Sarawak. If there are no people buying property, there will be no stamp duty. So this sort of matter has a formula and Insya-Allah, I will fight for our rights under the Article 112D,” he added.
Recently, the Sabah and Sarawak governments rejected a special annual grant after they only received RM26.7 million and RM16 million respectively, the original fixed rate under the revenue-sharing formula for East Malaysia.
Following that, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz when answering questions from MPs during his winding-up speech in Parliament on Nov 18 disclosed that revenue-sharing talks are ongoing with both governments to achieve a consensus on the amount of the special grant rate over the next five years.
Under the terms of revenue-sharing for Sabah and Sarawak, Sabah is entitled to 40 per cent of net revenue derived by the federal government from the state while Sarawak receives a fixed amount. — DayakDaily
