KUCHING: Sarawak lauds the passing of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday for fair fund distribution.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the passing of the Bill is in line with the initiative by the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for a representative from Sarawak to be included on the Inland Revenue Board.
“This is in line with the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report where Sarawak and Sabah should receive annual contributions. Both states are bigger than other states and we formed Malaysia. Unfortunately, this was halted in 1969.
“Why didn’t we object then was because of the existence of ISA (Internal Security Act) at the time, (and) from a Sarawak perspective, we don’t like to be treated like chickens or ducks where we would accept allocations willingly, there must be a format.
“The federal government should return back the amount of the fund from resources that were obtained from Sarawak,” Abdul Karim told a press conference on today (Oct 14).
He expressed his respect towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and welcomed the unity government’s RM300 million interim grant for Sarawak and Sabah.
“I respect him when provided the RM300 million as interim grant which would allow negotiations with the state government to be conducted.
“We can come up with a formula, that is why we want a representative from Sarawak on the Inland Revenue Board, because this would mean discussions can be made,” he added.
Abdul Karim pointed out that, with the State Financial Secretary, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar appointed to sit on the Inland Revenue Board and an expert, means he would be able to advise the state government.
“Some of these figures are not open to the public, and Alhamdullilah our requests have been acknowledged,” he said.
