KOTA KINABALU: Parti Upko hailed the Federal Government's move to double the interim special payment from the current RM300mil to RM600mil next year as a recognition of Sabah's 40% revenue rights claim.
Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick said the party appreciated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's decision to increase the payment amid ongoing talks for the return of 40% federal revenue earned from Sabah.
"This interim payment is a form of recognition of Sabah's 40% revenue rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution," said Benedick, who is also the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister.
"With the implementation of the interim payment, we have recognised that right in the constitution. What will happen next is the ongoing discussion between the Sabah Government and the Federal Government.
"I believe that the Unity Government today allows the widest possible space for discussion on this issue. When I was in the previous government, I did not see discussions as extensive as this. Almost every week, matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are discussed in the Federal Cabinet," he said.
Ewon said this to reporters after joining Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who gave out Hawana flood assistance to ailing former New Straits Times journalist Roy Goh at Kg Dabak in Penampang on Saturday (Sept 14).
Ewon, who is Penampang MP, said that other matters that have not yet been finalised involve mechanisms that need to be discussed and agreed upon with the State and Federal Governments.
"As a leader from Sabah, I would like to contribute towards the finalisation of the mechanism that will be discussed.
"The Sabah Government officially presented the demand on June 18. I think during this period, there will be discussions either at the Working Committee level or elevated to the Special Council for the Implementation of MA63.
Matters that cannot be finalised at the MA63 Implementation Action Council will be discussed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Haji Noor," he said.
"This discussion is encouraging and a positive development following the demand for Sabah's 40 percent rights."
When asked if unfinished matters have been given a 'time frame', Benedick responded that there was no time frame but more time was given for discussions on any matter that has not reached an agreement.
