00:00This has gone on for the last six decades, and it will continue for many decades to come.
00:08This is a system we inherit, and I think we need to ensure that we mature in the process.
00:16In an exclusive interview with FMT, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to
00:21believe in the government-government system as an effective system to maintain relations
00:26between the government, parliament and the state.
00:33We've spoken a lot about the importance of unity, Prime Minister, and certainly unity
00:37is really at the core of your philosophy and framework.
00:43There have been increasingly louder calls for autonomy from states, for example, like
00:48Sarawak, Sabah, even Johor.
00:51How do you intend to strengthen unity within the federation?
00:57We have to empower states where it is necessary.
01:00I don't think we need to rest powers entirely to the federal authorities.
01:04At the same time, the state can make demands, but sometimes they have the capability, sometimes
01:09they don't.
01:10This is a federal system, we navigate, we negotiate, but we draw the line.
01:18The Prime Minister also stated that Putrajaya is always faced with various requests from
01:24different countries and groups.
01:27First, the Islamic professionals and ulama, and then the representative of the church groups,
01:35and then the Tamilians and the Hindus, I mean, that's a stark reality.
01:41And you go to Sabah, Sarawak, of course there are new demands.
01:44So I think we need to ensure that this process of negotiations through trust, understanding
01:50and respect continue.
01:51I don't find it to be too cumbersome or problematic.
01:57Recently, countries such as Penang and Johor have struggled to get a larger share
02:03of the country's revenue, while Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan and Terengganu demand more oil royalties.
02:11As an example, the Sabah Legislation Union is taking legal action to get 40% of the
02:17country's revenue, while Sarawak also demands greater control over oil and
02:24land gas resources as well as its outsiders.
02:30To meet these demands, the federal government has agreed to double the special grant for
02:36Sabah and Sarawak in 2025, signifying a stronger commitment to development in East Malaysia.
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