KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must rely on its own efforts, creativity and unity to overcome financial constraints and drive development, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Stressing the importance of the state's pursuit of its 40% net revenue entitlement, the Deputy Chief Minister estimated its value at RM20bil annually.
"The 40% financial entitlement is not a small sum and it is certainly not just RM600mil. Based on my calculations, this year it amounts to about RM20bil.
"Isn't this worth fighting for? If we succeed, it can significantly address our development challenges," he said during his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (Nov 20).
Earlier, Kitingan pointed out that financial constraints have been a major obstacle to Sabah's development, underscoring the need for creative solutions.
He proposed three key strategies – the first, attracting investments, secondly, identifying new sources of funding, and the third, which Kitingan expressed the "most crucial", was reclaiming Sabah's financial rights, including the 40% net revenue entitlement, and 10% each on export and import duties on petroleum products.
"We will achieve success if we support, unite, and cooperate in reclaiming our rights, whether within or beyond our borders, whether from here (the government officials), or over there (the opposition), or outside (rakyat).
"Unity is our duty in this matter, as no one else will claim and restore our rights for us. We must rely on ourselves. If we don't act, who else will?" the state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister asked.
For instance, he noted, to foster development and progress, Sabahans must take decisive actions to secure adequate funding and implement effective and strategic measures.
"Financial constraints should not limit our community's advancement. We must unite to find solutions to overcome these limitations," he said.
