KOTA KINABALU: The state government hopes that the settlement of Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement can be expedited by the federal government, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the matter was also raised during discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council Meeting held at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Friday (Sept 11).
“For your information, on behalf of the Sabah government, we have also sought due consideration, particularly in resolving the 40% payment to Sabah.
“So we hope that this matter can be expedited. That is our position on behalf of the state of Sabah,” he said at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister and Sarawak Premier after the meeting.
Meanwhile, as an interim measure, Anwar said the federal government had agreed to immediately increase the payment to RM1.5bil beginning this year.
Anwar said negotiations on the matter would continue, taking into account the country’s financial position as provided for under the original agreement.
“For this, I have agreed to immediately increase the amount to RM1.5bil beginning this year as an interim measure. Negotiations will continue, taking into account the financial position as stipulated in the original agreement,” he said.
He said the government is expected to table a paper on the matter in Parliament in October before the RM1.5bil is channelled to Sabah, possibly by the end of October or early November.
Also present at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council Meeting were Sabah Deputy Chief Ministers -Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and Datuk Ewon Benedick.
