KUCHING, May 23: Negotiators enter talks to hammer out the details on Sarawak’s special grant entitlement under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said the negotiations is currently being pursued through a Joint Consultative Committee Meeting under the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“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 Grant can be discussed and agreed upon to ensure equitable distribution of the special grants to Sarawak,” said Hasidah in reply to a question by Kota Sentosa assemblyman, Yap Yau Sin in the August House today.
As such, Sarawak government has submitted a formula for reviewing the annual entitlement to the said matter.
“In fact, Premier of Sarawak has emphasised that the special grant ought to be based on reasonable and pragmatic formula, taking into account the financial position of the federal government,” she stressed.
Should the Federal Government and the State Government are unable to reach an agreement, the matter will be referred to an independent assessor, whose recommendation shall be binding and will be taken into effect. – TVS
