Kota Kinabalu: “The recent disclosures of the poverty and abject poverty figures for Sabah, Sarawak and the nation by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the PM’s Department clearly contradicts the rosy picture painted by the Sabah government on the alleviation of poverty in Sabah," said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, commenting on the poverty levels in Sabah.
According to EPU
figures, Sabah had 53.5% of the abject poor households in the nation while
Sarawak accounted for 11.4%. In the
poor household category, Sabah had 39.3% while Sarawak had 11.7%.
|
No.
|
Description
|
Sabah
|
Sarawak
|
Peninsula
|
National
|
|
1
|
No.
of abject poor households
|
8,457 (53.5%)
|
1,801 (11.4%)
|
5,547 (35.1%)
|
15,805 (100%)
|
|
2
|
No.
of poor households
|
42,400
(39.3%)
|
12,600
(11.7%)
|
53,000
(49.0%)
|
108,000
(100%)
|
Whatever the
cut-off points in the definition of abject poor and poor categories and the
number of households involved, the percentages reveal glaring failures of the
federal and Sabah governments in resolving the poverty problems in Sabah.
The efforts of the
Sabah government in reducing poverty levels in Sabah are poor and miserable
compared to the efforts of the Sarawak government, if the numbers of the Prime
Minister’s Department are relied upon.
Yet, the Sabah government has been boasting that they have done a good
job in reducing poverty in Sabah.
In truth, in the
villages and even in urban and suburban areas of Sabah, one only need to see
and ask casually of the poverty levels and it will not be surprising that there
are more than 8,457 abject poor households and 42,400 poor households. The real numbers will probably be 5 to 10
times more.
The irony of it all
that while Sabah and Sarawak are the poorest in Malaysia, they are the two (2)
biggest oil and gas producers and contributed about RM18 billion and RM45
billion respectively to Petronas and the federal government in 2012. On their part, Sabah only received about
RM941 million and Sarawak RM2.37 billion for their 5% share.
As a figurative
comparison to totally resolve the 8,457 and 1,801 households in Sabah and
Sarawak, it will only cost a one-off sum of RM820.64 million. This is derived by giving each household the
equivalent of RM80,000 comprising a house costing RM40,000 and another RM40,000
in special agricultural grant to develop their own 15 acres plot of land. Assuming a RM300 monthly return on each acre
of their agriculture, they will be each getting RM4,500 per month in household
income, higher than most university graduates’ income.
What is RM820
million compared to the RM63 billion of oil and gas “stolen”annually from Sabah
and Sarawak?
On a more serious
note, the Sabah government should take immediate steps look into and help solve
the poverty problems of these 8,457 and 42,400 households.
One of the most
immediate steps that can be taken by the Sabah government is to seek an
immediate increase of the oil payment from 5% to 20% from Petronas and the
federal government which will bring Sabah an additional revenue
of RM2,823.75 billion based on 2012 figures given by the Sabah government.
This 20% is not
wishful thinking as it has even been declared by the Chief Minister that the
government will be seeking a review of the oil payment. Unless of course, this is an empty promise
and election gimmick given during the run-up the GE-13.
And the Sabah
coffers will be further increased with return of the 40% net revenue collected
by the federal government from Sabah as provided under the Tenth Schedule of
the Federal Constitution.
Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan
Chairman, STAR Sabah
12 November 2013
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