KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government must push for a Sabahan to sit on the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) in its negotiations with the Federal Government on state rights.
Parti Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking said it was important for a Sabahan to be on the LHDN board as the state would be aware of actual total annual revenue collections from Sabah as well as the financial grants due to the state.
This would also include knowledge of any possible leakages and non-collected taxes from Sabah, he said in a statement Monday (July 11).
"I am not sure if the GRS government has named any Sabahan to sit on the board of LHDN.
“A qualified Sabahan will do justice to ensure the state gets its right share, in special grants and other financial dues," said Leiking, who is Penampang MP.
He said that Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has already proposed for a Sarawakian representative on the LHDN board to oversee their interests to get the special grants under the Constitution.
It was part of the negotiations for the state's demands for Sarawak rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"Sabah must emulate the same intentions and mission as what was proposed by the Premier of Sarawak," Leiking said.
He said Sabah constitutionally has its 40% net revenue return and such an appointment at LHDN should be a "must and automatic”.
He said with the ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government on state rights under MA63, the GRS state government should follow the step taken by Sarawak to ask for a qualified Sabahan to sit on the board to protect the state’s interest.
He said as a member of the LHDN board, the appointed Sabahan can monitor all revenues collected by the Federal Government from the state and provide feedback to the state government annually.
Leiking urged Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to push for the appointment of a Sabahan to be represented on the LHDN board.
