CM hopes wait not too long
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is hoping the federal government does not take too long to return the rights that Sabah’s deserves, including the 40% net revenue as stipulated under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The Chief Minister said the state government was aware of the financial constraints facing the current government and if the claim could not be fully completed immediately, it should not be delayed too long.
“Although the claim cannot be fulfilled in its entirety, hopefully it will be fulfilled, which is in the agreement (MA63) and the payment can be done in stages,” he said here yesterday.
“We also understand this (country) unhealthy (financial) situation; if we continue to pressure the central government, it will only create a problem,” he said after witnessing the presentation of dividend and zakat (commercial tithe) payments by Sabah Credit Corporation (SCC) at the State Administrative Centre (PPNS) complex.
Shafie, who also is the State Finance Minister, was commenting on the recent statement by Finance Minister Lim Guang Eng that Sabah’s demand for 40 per cent net revenue as stipulated under MA63 would only be realized after the country’s financial position had strengthened.
Lim had stated that the country’s financial position should be strengthened first before the claim was made to prevent the nation from becoming bankrupt.
Shafie said the state government was aware of the current financial constraints of the country which would have to pay a lot of debts.
“Nevertheless, the state government also has debt burden to pay. For that reason, we are using a prudent approach to financial management.
“In a country, we are a family, but in forming Malaysia we did it through negotiation. Thus this matter (the claim issue) also needs negotiation,” he said.
On allegation that Sabah was still lagging behind as the previous (Barisan Nasional) government had not fulfilled the MA63 claim, Shafie said it was of no use for them (opposition) to be noisy now because they did nothing during their tenure of government.
“For the government now, we will try to do our best to ensure that this (revenue claim) can be fulfilled although it is not an easy one.
“We need to handle this well without putting pressure on the federal government even if we are in dire need of money,” he said.
Asked whether Sabah would act like Sarawak which set some matters in MA63 as nonnegotiable, Shafie said it was better that the matter be discussed with the central government.
“I think it is better for us to discuss. There is already a date set for holding meetings and it is better to discuss these things internally.
“It’s unwise if we discuss this (the matter) openly. I think this is the best move we can do, “he said.
During the ceremony, SCC chief executive officer Datuk Vincent Pung presented a mock cheque for RM7.9 million as dividend payment (RM7 million) and loan repayment (RM 844,437.10) to the Ministry of Finance permanent secretary Datuk Pg Hassanel Pg. Mohd Tahir.
The corporation also presented a mock cheque for RM100,041.77 as business zakat (tithe) payment to Sabah Zakat Center, which was represented by Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Hasbullah Mohd Taha.