By Datuk James Ligunjang, J.P
Ex Assemblyman for Petagas.
PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will chair a meeting on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) on September 12, 2024, in Kota Kinabalu, according to PKR Information Chief Razeef Rakimin.
A key question on everyone’s mind is whether Anwar will implement the 40% revenue entitlement to Sabah for the first time in the nation’s history.
The challenge lies in whether he will adhere to the constitutional provisions accorded to Sabah in Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution.
Anwar has made promises to the people of Sabah and Sarawak that he will respect and implement what is written in MA63, and he will be held accountable for these commitments.
Here are some possible outcomes of the meeting on September 12, 2024:
Scenario 1:
Anwar agrees to pay the 40% revenue entitlement to Sabah based on the Federal Government’s accounting of all federal revenues derived from the state.
This would be historic, and Anwar would be celebrated as a hero in both Sabah and Sarawak, garnering strong support to continue leading the Federal Government.
Scenario 2:
Anwar cites Article 112D (2), claiming the Federal Government lacks the financial capacity to pay Sabah its full entitlement, offering only a token amount instead, similar to previous leaders.
This would be seen as a betrayal of trust by the people of both Sabah and Sarawak, undermining Anwar’s advocacy for the sincere implementation of MA63 and reducing his support to lead the Federal Government from the people of these regions.
Historically, the Federal Government has resisted the 40% entitlement to Sabah, directing the financial resources toward Malaya’s developmental needs.
Balancing these needs with Sabah’s demands presents a significant challenge for Anwar.
Considering the political and economic challenges he faces, particularly in maintaining support in the Malayan states, decisions made during this meeting will be pivotal. Without clear financial capacity or consensus, it may be difficult for Anwar to fully concede to Sabah’s demands for the full 40% revenue entitlement this year.
With the potential political ramifications, this meeting will be a decisive moment for Anwar’s leadership and his future relationship with Sabah and Sarawak.
Editor: The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of talantang.com
