KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno has proposed the establishment of a "Roundtable Secretariat" for all parties in the state to discuss issues related to the 40 per cent net revenue in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

State Umno election department director Jeffrey Nor said it would be a disservice to the people if the party did not advocate for these issues that are close to their hearts.

"Sabah Umno is firm in its stance to fight for the rights of the people of Sabah, especially concerning special allocations outlined in the MA63.

"If only four members of parliament speak and ask (about it), it certainly will not have any strength.

"But if we can come together with this demand, it will certainly have a significant impact on this demand," he said in a statement.

Jeffrey said several Sabah members of parliament (MPs) had held press conferences regarding the federal government's special allocation to the state government last week.

Among those who raised the government gazette regarding the RM300mil interim special grant payment issue were Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau and Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda.

Jeffrey also suggested Sabah Umno to take up chairmanship of the secretariat given that it is both a local and national party, and that it holds the largest number within the federal coalition.

"This step would undoubtedly provide an advantage in ensuring that everything stipulated in MA63, including the 40 per cent special allocation, could be realised."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/12/985940/ma63-sabah-umno-proposes-roundtable-secretariat-depth-discussions