By Former Petagas Assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang JP
KOTA KINABALU: In 2023, it is estimated that the Federal Government will receive around RM 20-30 billion in income from Sabah. However, the budgeted interim grant of rm300 million for Sabah’s 40% entitlement in 2024 is inadequate and inconsistent with the promise to resolve the issue by July 2024.
This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Federal Government has been non-compliant with Article 112C and 112D since 1974, which could have resulted in a considerable amount due to Sabah. The interim grant provided does not align with the promises made by PMX to honor Sabah’s 40% constitutional rights as agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
The people of Sabah have been left behind in terms of development and progress since the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.The crumbs given as an interim grant do not adequately address the longstanding issue of Sabah’s entitlement to its fair share of the federal income they derive from the state. The Federal Government needs to fulfill its promises and rectify the situation by providing a grant that is commensurate with Sabah’s contribution and constitutional rights.
