PUTRAJAYA need only pay what is due to Sabah, namely revenue entitlement and 20% oil royalty, said Mohd Shafie Apdal, following reports on the federal government’s plan to share revenue.

The chief minister said Sabah, like Putrajaya, is facing debt problems, in addition to lagging infrastructure development.

“We welcome statements made by national leaders on sharing revenue and wealth,” he told reporters after visiting the Sabah International Convention Centre site today.

“But what concerns us here is, we are lagging behind in terms of development. There is a need for us to have better infrastructure.

“Till now, we don’t have the means to do that, due to financial constraints.

“But, we have demanded that the federal government first help in priority areas, namely security, health and education.”

It was reported yesterday that Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said Putrajaya will share revenue with Sabah and Sarawak, but this can only be done after the nation’s financial standing improves.

Shafie said Sabah does not need high-end developments, but projects that benefit the people.

He said while the state does not mind sharing its natural resources, Sabah is seeking what is owed to it.

“We are not asking for 100%, but only 20% oil royalty. We are not asking for more than that. I’m quite sure this is attainable.

“In terms of security, we don’t want more buildings or machines to protect our borders if it will only lead to the state paying high maintenance costs, and the machines don’t work perfectly.” – October 25, 2018.