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The confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Finance in its Parliament answer dated 18 July 2024 that no agreement had been achieved between the then Warisan-led State Government and PH-led Federal Government in 2019 on the Special Grant for Sabah put to rest allegation made by GRS and its Deputy Secretary General, Armizan Mohd Ali that Warisan failed to negotiate a better deal for Sabah.
This is indeed a vindication for Warisan leaders who repeatedly asserted that while the State Government at that material time agreed to accept the special grant of RM53 million starting 2020 (after taking into consideration the request made by the then Federal Minister of Finance, Lim Guan Eng on financial improvement of the nation) with increments over the period of 5 years, such agreed payment is never to replace the 2/5 entitlement but merely as advance payments while discussion continue.
The wording ‘Without Prejudice’ in the letter issued by the State’s Ministry of Finance dated 19 October 2019 also clearly tells us that the State Government agreed to accept the advance payment with strict condition that such acceptance will in no way cause any detrimental effect or loss to our 2/5 entitlement right or claim.
The letter also confirmed that a State Cabinet meeting had been held on 16 October 2019 to discuss the offer made by the Federal Ministry of Finance hence by convention, ‘collective responsibilities’ stipulates that all Cabinet Ministers who attended the meeting are equally responsible to the decision made on that day. So perhaps media practitioners can interview individuals in the likes of Wilfred Madius Tangau, Christina Liew, Ewon Benedick, Dr Yusof Yaacob and others as well who were State Cabinet Ministers in 2018-2020 on this matter.
More importantly, the absence of Royal Gazette on the agreed advance payment also reflect Shafie Apdal’s cautious and attentious approach to the matter. Such gazette is indeed necessary for the purpose of annual Federal Budget hence while Armizan can claim that such gazette was never issued due to Covid 19, the fact remained that no Gazette was issued for almost a year that is from 19 October 2019 until 26 September 2020 (when the State Election was held).
But interestingly, the second preamble of the Royal Gazette dated 20 April 2022 and agreed to by Hajiji Mohd Noor states that a review on the Special Grant was held between the Federal and State Government on 14 February 2022. This implies that a new arrangement to replace Sabah Special Grant (First Review) Order, 1970 [P.U. (A) 328/1970] was discussed, agreed upon and assented to become law in less than 70 days.
I believe that, while it is GRS’s own ignorance on MA63 and 2/5 entitlement issue that caused the blunder by Hajiji to agree to the new arrangement, PN-led Federal Government at that time may had realized the huge advantage held by Sabah when Shafie Apdal refused to allow a gazette being issued. Hence I would not be surprise if the then PN-led Federal Government pushed for the conclusion of the new arrangement (with gazette finally being issued) in a very short time.
Lest we forget, that for the first Gazette, Hajiji Mohd Noor was serving Muhyiddin Yasin who was the Prime Minister and President of PPBM whilst for the second Gazette, he (Hajiji) had just left PPBM and became part of the Unity Government.
It is saddening to see that despite the party’s commitment to rebuild the nation under the New Malaysia in 2018 through various concessions to Federal Government, many quarters including our former allies who ironically were once there discussing the way forward for the State and Nation are now condemning us.
This however will not deter us from continuing our struggle for Sabah because we pride ourselves for being in a party that prioritize services, commitment and credibility.
Chin Tek Ming
Solicitor for Parti Warisan
21 July 2024
