The leaders said many seem to ignore the fact that Sabah and Sarawak’s entitlements under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) involve many areas within the framework.
They said several demands under MA63 have been fulfilled, such as the handover of administrative authority over Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan to Sabah, as well as granting authority over licensing and deep-sea fishing to the Sabah and Sarawak governments.
They also cited several other demands that have been fulfilled, including the handing over of the power to regulate gas and electricity supply in Sabah, and the provision of guidelines for the re-transfer of land reserved for the federation in the two states.
“These are just the few things that have already been agreed on, and there are many other areas that are still being identified and discussed.
“We must acknowledge that these discussions and negotiations are delicate and at the same time, involve complex legislative matters that require detailed examination and consideration,” they said in a statement.
The statement was jointly issued by Sabah PH chief Christina Liew, Upko president Ewon Benedict, Sabah PKR chief Mustapha Sakmud, Sabah DAP chief Frankie Poon and Sabah Amanah chief Lahirul Latigu.
They said it was reassuring to have a prime minister who had agreed for these matters to be discussed, studied and resolved. “Just a few years back, these were taboos to be mentioned and discussed publicly.”
On May 31, Anwar announced that the allocation to Sabah had been increased to RM16 billion this year, and that this amount exceeded 40% of the federal revenue and taxes collected from Sabah.
Former Sabah Law Society president Roger Chin also urged the federal government to honour its commitments and ensure the state receives its full 40% net revenue entitlement as a special grant.
Bersatu leader Ronald Kiandee was reported to have said Anwar failed to consider that Sabah was entitled to an additional 40% of federal revenue and taxes collected from the state.
In response to the Beluran MP, Anwar urged the opposition not to politicise the issue of allocations to Sabah. He said the opposition only seems to be raising this issue because the Sabah state election is approaching.