KUNAK: The Federal Government has agreed to the 40% payment claimed by Sabah, although several technical issues remain to be resolved, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said the matter would be discussed at the highest-level Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Kota Kinabalu on Friday (Sept 11).
“They have agreed, but there may still be some technical issues that have been raised,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd Phytonutrient Extraction Plant here on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Hajiji said an appeal process related to the matter was part of the normal procedure and would not affect Sabah’s receipt of the 40% payment.
“This is a normal process because there is an appeal process, but it does not affect the decision for us to receive the 40% payment,” he said.
He said Sabah would continue raising unresolved claims and issues under MA63 at the meeting.
“As usual, at the meeting we will discuss the claims and issues under MA63 that have yet to be resolved,” he said.
Hajiji also expressed appreciation to Anwar, saying nine MA63 matters had been resolved under his administration, with the relevant powers also devolved to Sabah.
He said another four matters had been resolved previously, bringing the total number of resolved issues to 13.
“There are still other matters outstanding, including the 40% payment,” he said.
Hajiji said the remaining unresolved issues would be put forward for consideration at the MA63 meeting.
