KUCHING: The unity government will want to show some goodwill to Sabah and Sarawak by agreeing with the proposed formula by the Sarawak government for the distribution of the annual special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, said political analyst Professor James Chin.
“They (federal government) can promote goodwill and solve the other issues in the long term.
“So it’s all good news for Sarawak and I think we can also expect good news for Sabah with the 40 percent refund that they’re seeking from the federal government,” he told Suara Sarawak today (Dec 26).
With an agreement in place, there will be no arguments about revisiting the issue in the future, he said.
Earlier, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak will stick to its proposed formula for the distribution of the special grant which has been brought up with the federal government and is currently under review.
On Dec 24, Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the federal government will announce on Jan 4 several matters that have been agreed upon regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the MA63 technical committee was examining and finalising a number of matters, including the delegation of authority to agencies such as the Public Works Department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
