MA63: Sarawak has requested meeting to discuss special grants review

KUCHING, May 23 (Bernama) -- Sarawak has pursued a negotiation for special grants entitlement under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution with the federal government, the State Legislative Assembly  was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said it is being pursued through a Joint Consultative Committee Meeting under the Special Council on MA63 (MKMA63).

“The state government has requested for this joint consultative committee meeting to be held in the near future so that the formula for reviewing the special grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution and other related matters can be discussed and agreed upon,” she said.

Replying to Yap Yau Sin (GPS-Kota Sentosa) during the question and answer session, she said the negotiation was to ensure that special grants to Sarawak can be distributed fairly and equitably, with the state government had actually submitted a formula for reviewing the special grant.

“In fact the Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) who is also the (Sarawak) Minister of Finance and New Economy has emphasised that the special grant to ought to be based on a reasonable and pragmatic formula.

“We do not want the federal government to simply give out any figure, taking into account the financial position of the federal government as stipulated under Article 112d of the Federal Constitution,” she said.

She added that under Article 112d(6) of the Federal Constitution, if on any review the federal and state governments were unable to reach any agreement on any matter, the matter shall be referred to an independent assessor and his recommendations thereon shall be binding on the federal and state governments and shall be given effect as if they were the agreement of the two governments.

-- BERNAMA