Work plan on govt’s financial obligations drafted
KOTA KINABALU: The Special Council on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) has drafted a work plan concerning the federal government’s financial obligations stipulated under MA63 (MA63).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the Sabah and Sarawak governments had agreed to the formation of the Joint Consultative Review Committee.
He said the committee would focus on reviewing the special grants, including the 40 per cent reimbursable provision for Sabah, as stipulated under Article 112 (D) of the Constitution.
“I had several meetings with the finance minister (Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz) on the matter and we have agreed on the terms of reference, including the list of members,” he said yesterday.
He said the committee would be tasked with reviewing the legal provisions with regard to the financial matters stipulated under the Constitution and the MA63, as well as to scrutinise the calculations and payments of the annual grant, and other grants, as enshrined under MA63, including previous payouts.
“The committee is also entrusted with coming up with resolutions to the annual grant payment demanded by Sabah and Sarawak, as set under MKMA63.
“The committee is also tasked with establishing a balanced, fair, and justified formula of payment that would be in line with the country’s financial resources and status.
“The committee is expected to meet immediately after the MKMA63 meeting on April 13, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.”
Ongkili will also chair the Joint Consultative Review Committee meeting on behalf of the MKMA63, and submit resolutions for decision to the council.
Sabah Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun will head the Sabah team, which also includes Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Sabah Attorney-General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof, and Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Rusdin Riman as members.
The Sarawak team will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, and Sarawak AttorneyGeneral Datuk Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid, as well as Sarawak Finance Secretary Datuk Amar Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman as members.