Special federal-state committee established to implement Sabah’s 40% net revenue claim under MA63, co-chaired by state and federal officials
KOTA KINABALU: A special federal-state committee has been formed to discuss implementation mechanisms for Sabah’s 40% net revenue claim under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced the committee’s establishment following MA63 Implementation Action Council Technical Committee (JKTMPMA63) discussions.
Fadillah, who chairs JKTMPMA63, confirmed the special committee will be co-chaired by Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.
“The special committee will report to JKTMPMA63 regarding discussions and implementation mechanisms,” he said.
He noted the committee could also report directly to the Cabinet on implementation details.
Fadillah emphasised the tight timeframe for implementation discussions, stating negotiations began immediately after the committee’s formation.
“I’m waiting for the report and outcome of discussions,” he told reporters at Menara Kinabalu.
He stressed the importance of forming the committee to provide recommendations to the government.
“We’ll wait for the full report later,” Fadillah added.
Post meeting
Fadillah chaired the federal-state committee meeting at Menara Kinabalu to address Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement claim.
The meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor included State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, and State Attorney-General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh.
This follows the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s October 17 ruling that the federal government acted unlawfully by failing to fulfil Sabah’s constitutional revenue rights for over four decades.
The court ordered a review within 90 days and a mutual agreement within 180 days regarding Sabah’s 40% entitlement claim from 1974 to 2021.
Fadillah confirmed the federal government will not appeal the ruling and has decided to hold discussions with the state government.
“The special committee will discuss, among other matters, the terms of reference for implementing the claim,” he said.
He noted these matters would be further discussed with the new state government formed after the November 29 state election.
Polling for the 17th Sabah State Election is scheduled for November 29, with early voting on November 25.
The federal government’s decision not to appeal paves the way for implementation discussions once the new state government is established. – Bernama
