PUTRAJAYA: The first official-level discussion between the federal and Sabah governments regarding the special grant to Sabah based on the 40% revenue entitlement will be held on Monday at Menara Kinabalu, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (pic).
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said the Federal Government’s delegation will be led by Chief Secretary of the Treasury Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, while the Sabah government will be represented by its State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong.
Armizan, who is also Papar MP, said the move results from the Cabinet’s decision to accept the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) advice for the Federal Government not to appeal the matter.
“As advised by the AGC, the Federal Government will not appeal in the context related to this 40% right as the basis for determining the amount or policy of the special grant to Sabah under Article 112C (1)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
“This is the decision that has been made, which has never been implemented by any previous government. This is a new matter.
“Today’s Cabinet meeting also decided that discussions must be held as soon as possible,” he said after the weekly press conference of Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil here yesterday, Bernama reported.
“This shows the government’s seriousness in implementing the High Court’s decision, and that we must fulfil our responsibility for the special grant to Sabah,” Armizan added.
The Cabinet also decided that Armizan will represent Sabah on the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council, replacing Datuk Ewon Benedick, who recently resigned as a Cabinet member.
In a statement on Thursday, the AGC announced that the Federal Government will not appeal the 40% revenue entitlement, and will proceed with negotiations with the state government as soon as possible.
The AGC also said it filed a Notice of Appeal at the Kota Kinabalu High Court on Thursday regarding specific parts of the grounds of judgment dated Oct 17.
