KOTA KINABALU: Putatan UMNO Chief Jeffrey Nor Mohamed, has expressed his backing for ADUN Moyog Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin’s call, urging the Federal Government not to use “financial capability” as a justification to sideline or postpone Sabah’s constitutional right to receive 40 percent of the Federal Government’s net revenue.
“Yes, I agree with the proposal to separate the 40% revenue from the combined fund pool, where this amount is calculated as 60% for the Federal Government and 40% for Sabah.
“These collections come from the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (HASiL), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and other agencies managing taxation in Sabah,” he said in a statement.
Jeffrey said it is now time for a ‘movement’ towards legally formalising this arrangement through documented means to ensure the proposal is properly implemented with cooperation between the Federal and State Governments.
“The 1963 Agreement must serve as the foundation for how we work together to resolve the 40% issue that has persisted for so long,” he added.
Recently, Donald, who is also Deputy President of the Kinabalu Progressive United Organization (UPKO), stressed that this right (40%) does not depend on the capability or goodwill of the Federal Government, but rather is a constitutional right that must be respected and fulfilled.
Donald was also quoted as saying that Article 112D of the Federal Constitution indeed provides for the Federal Government’s financial position as one of the factors to be considered in the special grant review process.
