Commentary: Can PM Anwar satisfy Sabah and Sarawak’s demands as he approaches third year in office?

REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT

Another important issue is the return to the Sabah and Sarawak composition’s one-third structure, as mandated by MA63.

Back in 1963, Malaya had 104 votes in the then 159-member national parliament, while Sarawak, Sabah, and Singapore were given 55 tickets, or 34.6 per share. When Singapore left the league in 1965, Singapore’s 15 political tickets were never redistributed to Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, both states ended up with just a third of seats in Parliament.

Sabah and Sarawak are in a negative place because a successful legal article requires a two-thirds majority in the legislature. In other words, only Peninsular Malaysia has the authority to amend the law without the Malay says ‘ assistance.

Sarawak has officially submitted a proposal to the federal government to increase the number of votes from Sabah and Sarawak to 35 %. This may involve a legal act. Some people oppose this because they think it will give the Malay states too much electricity.

Mr Anwar, in people at least, has been motionless, suggesting that there is no discussion. If the Malay says get the 35 per share, this will ultimately change the nature of federal-Borneo connections. After that, Putrajaya will need to read with Kuching and Kota Kinabalu regarding any legal problems.

SABAH’S Profit

The legal requirement to payment Sabah 40 % of the gross income received from the state is the second major issue.

The law centralizedizes revenue collection at the governmental level, including all types of taxes. Based on their people, the federal government finally distributes a portion of this to the state.

From the early 1970s, the federal government stopped paying. The Sabah government at the time was very timid politically to do this issue. The latest standoff is brought on by disagreements over the exact sum plus the arrears, known as the “lost years.”

The federal government has its own solution, while the Sabah position state has some suggestions. No matter which formula is used to calculate the amount, it will at least be in the region of RM20 billion ( US$ 4.6 billion ), money the federal government does not have.