By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 – Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has urged the Federal government to empower state over matters such as public transportation and health in a bid to diversify the respective administration’s revenue streams.
Amirudin, who is also Gombak MP, emphasised the need for states to reduce their dependence on income generated through land ownership transfers, reminding the Federal government of its shared responsibility, as articulated in the federal constitution.
“It’s high time for the roles of states and local governments to be strengthened, especially in areas like public transportation, social services, public health, and income and road tax distribution, as potential new avenues for revenue.
“This would ensure that states are not wholly dependent on land-related revenues,” he said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Mid-Term Review in Parliament, here, today.
Referring to the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, Amirudin pointed out that it addresses the joint responsibility of both state and federal governments in the domains of health and social services, among other things.
“However, most of the taxes and revenues collected from these sectors are currently predominantly distributed to the federal government, leaving states to depend primarily on land-based revenues.”
Amirudin also pointed out that duty stamps from land-related transactions in states currently go directly to Putrajaya.
“As a result, states are left to shoulder several responsibilities, as outlined under the Ninth Schedule of the constitution, on their own.’’
In this regard, the Pakatan Harapan lawmaker reminded the Federal government to uphold the spirit of federation that is more equal and fairer.
