KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is urging the Federal Government to prioritise the implementation of Sabah's 40% revenue entitlement as the 12-month time frame to finalise the formula has expired.
The Sabah Deputy Chief Minister said there has been no word over the implementation by Putrajaya despite the expiry of the time frame on Thursday (July 18), which was agreed upon in previous technical committee meetings.
"Despite this, there has been no progress or announcement regarding this critical issue," he said in a statement on Thursday.
"I urge the Madani government to prioritise implementing the 40% net revenue allocation for Sabah, especially now that the state government has provided the necessary data.
"The ongoing failure to honour the 40% revenue entitlement perpetuates economic disparities and contributes to the underdevelopment and poverty of Sabah.
"The people of Sabah deserve better and it is time for the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to rectify this long-standing issue," said Kitingan.
In November 2023, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Titingan told the state assembly that the formula for Sabah's revenue entitlement would be known by July 18 2024.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister and Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick also said in September last year that the formula was expected to be finalised in July.
