Did Sarawak dispute Lim’s RM2.5 billion debt figure after tourism tax remarks?

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Sarawak Disputes Federal Finance Minister's Debt Figure Following Tourism Tax Remarks

Sarawak's Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg clarified that the state's outstanding debt to the federal government was RM2.38 billion, directly refuting the RM2.5 billion figure previously stated by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. This disagreement arose after Lim reminded Sarawak of the RM2.5 billion debt in the context of the state's request for its RM2.7 million share of tourism tax revenue. Lim had also asserted that Sarawak had RM50 million in arrears, a claim that Abang Johari explicitly denied.
Discrepancy in Stated Debt Amount

The central point of contention is the precise amount of Sarawak's debt. While Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng stated the figure to be RM2.5 billion, Sarawak's Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg provided a revised figure of RM2.38 billion. This difference of RM120 million formed the basis of the public disagreement between the two political figures.
Context of Tourism Tax Share Request

The dispute gained prominence when Lim Guan Eng brought up Sarawak's debt in response to a request from the state's Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Karim Rahman Hamzah. The state was seeking its RM2.7 million allocation from the tourism tax. Lim used this occasion to highlight the state's financial obligations to the federal government.
Denial of Arrears

Beyond the total debt figure, Sarawak also contested the assertion of arrears. Lim Guan Eng had claimed that Sarawak had RM50 million in arrears. However, Datuk Abang Johari Openg unequivocally denied this statement, indicating that the state had met its financial obligations as per the stipulated agreements.

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Did Sarawak dispute Lim’s RM2.5 billion debt figure after tourism tax remarks?

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