KOTA KINABALU: Restoration of Sabah rights, including the state's claim to 40% tax revenue, would effectively help the government address issues such as poverty, says a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leader.

       Coalition information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the state would be in a better position to tackle poverty if the net revenue owed by Putrajaya to Sabah was restored.

       He said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli's revelation in Parliament on the high poverty rate in Sabah indicates that the Federal Government was aware of what had to be done, and that sufficient funds and allocation were key.

       As such, he said, the central government should speed up the restoration of Sabah's rights, the tax revenue, as well as control of its oil and gas resources.

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       "The state government will strive for the sake of the people, but we need to be on the same page with the Federal Government.

       "By indicating that they know what it takes to eradicate poverty in Sabah, I believe it is only right for Putrajaya to restore the state's rights," he said in a statement on Friday (March 15).

       On Thursday (March 14), Rafizi had told the Dewan Rakyat that hardcore poverty in Sabah was six times the national average and noted the rate of hardcore poverty in Sabah stood at 1.2%, in contrast to the national rate of 0.2%.

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       Bangkuai, who is also Kiulu assemblyman, said the state government would continue the struggle to improve the people's livelihood and provide basic amenities, infrastructure and development.

       He said the state government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had come up with a comprehensive master plan to improve the wellbeing of the people, but it would take time to come to fruition.

       He also said the GRS-Pakatan Harapan state government has consistently pursued efforts to reduce poverty under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative.

       "Poverty has been a perennial issue in Sabah and a constant topic used by the opposition to fish for public sentiment and support.

       "Let's not point fingers as to who is at fault but work together to find a solution," added Bangkuai.