Want more allocations for state? Discuss nicely, PM tells Sabah MP

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he is open to discussing the issue of Sabah allocations, provided it was done in good faith by those who understand the issue.

Anwar pointed out that some critics, including Bersatu vice-president Ronald Kiandee, should know the matter in detail as they were previously part of the government.

“I have read carefully (on the matter), don’t politicise the issue.

“If you want more (allocations), discuss it nicely, I have already explained,” he said when met at the Tanglin Hawker Centre in Kuala Lumpur before performing Friday prayers. 

Yesterday, Ronald rebuked Anwar over the prime minister’s announcement of RM16 billion in allocations for Sabah, which the former claimed was misleading.

The Beluran MP said that the prime minister had neglected to take into account that Sabah is entitled to an additional 40 percent of federal revenues and taxes derived from Sabah when Anwar announced that the federal government has allocated RM16 billion to the state.

This would come up to about RM4 billion, based on Anwar’s announcement that the federal government collected RM10.2 billion in taxes and revenue from Sabah last year.

Issue being played up due to Sabah polls

Commenting further, Anwar said the allocation mentioned earlier was only for development purposes but Ronald had misunderstood.

“This means management, implementation of operations, expenditure...

“Even that does not include some things like the Pan-Borneo highway and some other projects,” he explained.

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The prime minister added that the federal government can provide the funds but the issue should not be politicised.

Anwar also expressed his belief that the issue is being brought up now ahead of the Sabah state election and that Ronald is trying to be a “champion” with cheap political ploys.

“Don’t turn it into petty politics to gain (sympathy). When you were in power, you were silent.

“I want to ask him - when he was in power, what did he do?” he said.

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