KUCHING: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian describes the 2020 federal Budget as “inequitable”.
Dr Sim said the budget does not reflect the federal government’s claim that it considers Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners.
Expressing his disappointment, he said the budget is biased towards Malaya and what it gives Sarawak is mere “lip service”.
“They acknowledge Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners but the budget speaks otherwise…still treating us like one of 13 states.
“We are disappointed because number one, it is Malaya-centric; and number two, their promise of 30 per cent development fund for Sabah and Sarawak fails to materialise.
“I always said Malaya sharing Sarawak’s prosperity. Unfortunately, Sarawak never has a chance to share Malaya’s prosperity,” he said when met yesterday.
Commenting further, Dr Sim pointed out that Sarawak was not consulted on the Special Grant.
“Special Grant to Sarawak worth more than RM30 million was done without consultation. According to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawak should be consulted.
“If they are genuine about treating Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners, they must first consult their partners. If we disagree there are mechanisms within the Constitution as to what we should do.
“Therefore, the Special Grant is no big deal compared to our oil and gas resources taken by them (Malaya) on a daily basis.”
