The second round of negotiations on Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement is set to begin soon, with the Cabinet confirming talks must conclude within 180 days.
PUTRAJAYA: The second round of negotiations on Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement is expected within the next one to two weeks.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the upcoming meeting will be attended by Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican and Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong.
This follows preliminary discussions held in November.
Fahmi, who is also the MADANI Government spokesperson, said the Cabinet discussed the status of the entitlement’s implementation.
He obtained confirmation from the Treasury on the number of meetings held within the initial 90-day period.
That period, which followed a Kota Kinabalu High Court decision, ended today.
The court affirmed Sabah’s right to receive 40% of revenue derived from the state on Oct 17.
Fahmi said negotiations were required to commence within those first 90 days.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud is expected to issue a full statement on developments soon.
The Cabinet was reminded that while talks must begin within 90 days, the final payment mechanism must be agreed within 180 days.
“There is therefore another 90 days remaining,” said Fahmi.
He added the government’s commitment is to honour agreements made by Malaysia’s founding leaders.
This includes matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 concerning Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement.
