Alan Ling
MIRI: State DAP secretary Alan Ling is sceptical about the formation of a special committee to study Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement to the net revenue collected by the federal government from the state.
“It is just a vague announcement made by the foreign minister (Datuk Seri Anifah Aman) and I believe it is just a ‘drama’ played up by the federal government to fool the people by creating false hope,” Ling said in a press statement received here yesterday.
Ling based his argument on the establishment of the few Royal Inquiry Committees (RCIs) under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950, whereby after the conclusions drawn and their recommendations outlined, the government could just ignore them, what more to say a normal committee with no special status.
An example is the RCI for police reform 2004 which recommended for the setting up of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), which was not adhered to, citing rejection by the police.
Ling, also Piasau assemblyman, claimed that the committee was unnecessary if the federal government was committed in resolving the long-standing issue which he alleged was a biased budget allocation resulting in Sabah and Sarawak remaining poor and backward in many aspects despite having rich resources.
He said the grievances had even turned into an open demand for secession from the Peninsula by certain quarters and the calling was gaining momentum.
“Just look at how the federal government treats the motion unanimously passed by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly and you will reasonably come to a pessimistic prediction that whatever findings from the committee, it may be a complete waste of time and bear no significant outcome, simply because the federal government lacks commitment to resolve the many issues affecting Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Ling argued that the federal cabinet was the most effective body to correct the taxation policy and even made new formula to safeguard the rights of Sarawak and Sabah in the spirit of the formation of Malaysia in 1963, and the first bold step must come from the joint effort of all cabinet ministers from those two states.
He alleged that Sarawakians were generally very disappointed with the seven cabinet members from Sarawak who did not seem to make open their stance on many issues and rights affecting the state.
“I want all the cabinet ministers from Sabah and Sarawak to immediately come out with an open statement to firmly state their stance and to speak out on behalf of Sabahans and Sarawakians. Do not be yes-men to federal policies detrimental to the states by keeping mum during the weekly cabinet meeting.”
He also hoped that during the one-day State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Aug 17, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will take the opportunity to show firm stance on the state’s demand for at least 20 per cent in oil and gas royalty for he (CM) would be assured of solid support from the opposition.
He also said it was high time for the two states to sit down and discuss feasible steps to be taken jointly in the greater interests of Sabah and Sarawak to push for more favourable policies beneficial to them and one of the ways was by quitting the federal BN pact rendering them a minority government.