KOTA KINABALU, Nov 9 — In an impromptu exchange with a member of the public, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressed concerns over Sabah’s long-standing 40 per cent revenue entitlement, explaining that the federal government has already been allocating more funds to the state than it collects in revenue.
During his walkabout at the popular Gaya Street Sunday Market here, Anwar told a visitor that while the federal government collected about RM10 billion in revenue from Sabah, it allocated around RM17 billion back to the state.
“Don’t listen to the political campaigns of others, listen to me — I am the prime minister,” Anwar was heard saying in a video of the encounter that has since gone viral.
A man had asked Anwar when the federal government would fulfil Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the state, referring to a provision under Article 112C of the Federal Constitution that was recently affirmed by the High Court in Kota Kinabalu.
The man could be heard asking, “Datuk Seri, just want to ask… when is the 40 per cent coming?”
Anwar, smiling, replied, “Hang on, wait for me to explain.”
“How much revenue do we collect from Sabah? RM10 billion. How much do we give back to Sabah? RM17 billion.”
The exchange continued briefly, with the man insisting that the 40 per cent was meant to be derived from tax revenue and was an entitlement “different” from the RM17 billion allocation.
Anwar was seen defending his explanation before the video cut off.
The 40 per cent issue has gained traction following the High Court ruling affirming Sabah’s entitlement and the resignation of UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick from the federal Cabinet over the Attorney General’s Chambers’ position on the matter.
Anwar’s remarks come amid heightened political focus on Sabah’s fiscal autonomy and the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), both expected to feature prominently in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election.
