KUCHING, April 18: The Sarawak government hopes the special grant to the State as stipulated in Article 112D of the Federal Constitution is reviewed every five years in accordance to a certain formula.
Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said the formula on the revenue distribution was submitted by the Sarawak government to the federal government previously.
“This matter has always been brought up during the special meeting between Sarawak and the federal government on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Last week, we had our meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri (Yaakob) and Sarawak was represented by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and as of now, there is an agreement in principle,” she told reporters during a press conference at her Samariang Service Centre today.
She added they will try to find a solution so that the distribution of the special grant can be done based on the formula presented.
Meanwhile, Sharifah Hasidah revealed that during the special meeting, they also discussed about requesting more autonomy on tourism and environmental matters, including the return of State land which had been given to the federal government, as well as many other matters.
However, she pointed out that it is not going to be so simple as all matters will involve the Constitution.
“But we are in talks and it will be further discussed in detail at the working committee levels,” she said. — DayakDaily
