KOTA KINABALU: Recent comments by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ) have reignited debate over the distribution of revenue between the federal government and individual states.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Salleh Said Keruak noted that states making substantial contributions to the national economy deserve sufficient financial resources to advance their own development.
He pointed out that Sabah has long voiced similar concerns, emphasizing that its stance is rooted not only in revenue allocation but also in the principles of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which supports greater state autonomy within the federation.
Although Johor and Sabah come from different historical contexts, he observed, both are essentially raising the same fundamental issue: how to better align national priorities with the developmental needs and aspirations of individual states under the federal framework.
In a recent Facebook post, Salleh stressed that such discussions should not be interpreted as threats to national unity.
Instead, they offer a chance to reassess Malaysia’s federal structure and draw insights from other federal systems regarding fiscal authority, revenue distribution, and regional self-governance.
He concluded that empowering states does not weaken the nation—on the contrary, stronger, more capable states can help build a more resilient Malaysia. The aim, he said, should be a fair, functional, and balanced federation that serves all its citizens.
