BINTULU: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has pledged to continue its fight in regaining Sarawak’s rights as stipulated under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that one of such rights is the special grant accorded to the state under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution (FC).
“You know during the time of Pakatan Harapan (PH), they did not give us (grant under Article 112D).
“Then there was a minister who wanted to give Sarawak RM16 million… There was also a sum of RM32 million that was to be given, but I asked them on what basis that the grant is given? There must be a formula.
“We do not want the (grant) to be given just like that. Orang Sarawak bukan manok (Sarawakians should not be given chicken feed), until today they could not provide the formula,” he said at a dinner with the locals at Parkcity Everly Hotel here on Tuesday night.
The GPS chairman said that thankfully the present government was working out the formula on the grant to be given to the state.
“I also told them (federal government) that whatever revenue is collected from Sarawak, they must be fair and give back to Sarawak.
“For instance, they have collected the stamp duty in Sarawak. This (stamp duty revenue) is our rights.
“If no one is buying property, there will be no stamp duty. That is why all of this must have a formula… And God willing, I will continue to fight for our rights under Article 112 of the FC.
“There are still many (to get the state’s right to be returned to Sarawak), our work has yet to be finished.
“Now, I no longer have the mandate. But if you give me and my comrades a strong mandate (during the state election) then we can continue with our works,” said Abang Johari.
