KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has denied that the Sabah government is under pressure over its pursuit of the state’s 40% revenue entitlement, accusing the opposition of trying to score political points over the matter.
The Chief Minister said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government was not afraid of any party, including the Federal Government, in pursuing Sabah’s rights.
“The Prime Minister has not pressured the state government or me over our pursuit of state rights,” Hajiji told the Sabah assembly.
He said this after Chin Teck Ming (Warisan-Kapayan) tabled a private member’s motion for the House to unanimously resolve for the immediate implementation of Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement.
As the four-day assembly sitting was winding down, Chin urged Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya to allow his motion to be debated, prompting Hajiji to interject and tell him not to play politics.
Hajiji said the state government and assembly were united in seeking Sabah’s revenue rights, adding that the government had even consulted a King’s Counsel for advice on the matter.
Chin denied playing politics, saying he only wanted the 79-member House to unanimously endorse Sabah’s claim to the entitlement and to be updated on the status of negotiations with Putrajaya, as well as the timeline for payments.
He said the opposition deserved to be kept informed.
“If the state can really get the 40%, then why was there a need to consult the King’s Counsel?” Chin asked.
At this point, Hajiji told Kadzim that he would stop engaging with Chin on the issue.
“Speaker, I do not want to speak to this lawyer, one who is of unsound mind,” he said in Malay.
After Chin stood down, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (GRS-Kiulu) said the state government had repeatedly stated its commitment to pursuing Sabah’s rights despite opposition claims to the contrary.
“We all want that 40%. This is as if there is some bad intention from the opposition.
“We all support and need that 40%. That is loud and clear. Otherwise, why would we have discussions to speed up the payments?
“So please do not doubt the sincerity of the state government in this matter,” Bangkuai said.
Alias Sani (Warisan-Sekong) then urged the Speaker to allow opposition assemblymen to be briefed internally on current developments involving the 40% revenue entitlement, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Pulau Sebatik.
Kadzim said the state government might not be privy to certain information deemed classified.
