THE federal government has been urged to expedite the return of taxes collected in Sarawak to the state government.
Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said that this measure would enable the Sarawak government to better redistribute wealth through investments in infrastructure, educational access and facilities and social security.
“This, in return, will contribute to the effectiveness of the federal government’s income redistribution through the tax and transfer system,” he said when debating in support of the motion of appreciation for the Governor’s address during the fifth day of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (May 10).
Fazzrudin also suggested that the federal government consider decentralising authority and funding for targeted subsidy implementation to the state government.
Commenting on the centralised database hub (PADU), Fazzrudin noted that the lukewarm response and lack of public participation were likely due to end users’ trust deficit in the system and the need for improved stakeholder engagement.
“Data collection, particularly of sensitive nature, if necessary, should be conducted by the state government, as it is closer to the people and has the mechanisms for better reach and participation,” he added.
