Sabah leaders praise Federal Government’s decision not to appeal court ruling on state’s 40% revenue entitlement, calling it constitutional justice.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah leaders welcomed the federal government’s decision not to appeal the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling on the state’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, urging Sabahans to place their trust in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the MADANI Government.
Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the decision demonstrated not only respect for Sabah’s constitutional rights but also the federal government’s full support for the state’s development.
“I urge Sabahans to have faith in our PM and in this Unity Government, which has shown over and over again its genuine effort to help develop and protect Sabah,” he said in a statement here on Tuesday (November 11).
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On Oct 17, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the federal government acted unlawfully and beyond its constitutional powers when it failed to fulfil Sabah’s rights to 40 per cent of federal revenue for the years 1974 to 2021
Today, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) in a statement said the federal government has decided not to file an appeal against the decision relating to the Special Grant based on the 40 per cent revenue share for Sabah, as provided for under the Federal Constitution.
Earlier, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said in a statement that the federal government’s decision not to appeal the High Court’s ruling relating to Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue rights showed that Anwar understands the hopes and aspirations of Sabahans.
Meanwhile, Arthur cited the government’s victory at the International Court of Justice against claims to Sabah by the Sulu group as one example of such commitment, alongside greater state autonomy granted to Sabah for implementing projects under RM50 million and below.
He stressed that federal-state relations were vital, calling for unity as one federation to promote harmony in multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysia.
In the meantime, Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin emphasised that the 40 per cent revenue entitlement was a constitutional right that was non-negotiable and non-delayable.
“This decision affirms a fundamental legal truth that Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement is not a political concession. It is a constitutional obligation that has been left unfulfilled for decades,” he said.
Bung Moktar said the 40 per cent provision was a binding constitutional commitment embedded in the Federal Constitution since Malaysia’s formation in 1963, adding that administrative lapses since 1974 had undermined federalism principles.
He said any negotiations must be transparent, grounded in verified financial data, and free from political manoeuvring, warning that Sabah would no longer accept discussions leading nowhere.
“Sabah BN will scrutinise every stage of this process. The federal government’s duty is clear and indivisible…restore Sabah’s entitlement without delay.
This is not a political gimmick but a demand for constitutional justice. Sabah BN stands firm, the 40 per cent is Sabah’s right,” he added.
Sabah PKR Leadership Council chairman Datuk Mustafa Sakmud, who welcomed the historic decision, described it as a turning point for fiscal justice that the people of Sabah have been waiting for nearly 50 years.
“This decision proves the MADANI Government’s commitment to respecting the spirit and soul of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) is not just on paper, but translating it into bold and principled actions,” he said.
He also welcomed the federal government’s decision to begin negotiations with the Sabah government to ensure the fair, transparent, and lawful implementation of the 40 per cent revenue distribution mechanism.
Meanwhile, Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe commended the federal Cabinet’s decision, describing it as a reflection of the MADANI Government’s sincerity and respect towards Sabah’s constitutional and historical rights.
He said Sabah DAP had been actively supporting the Sabah Law Society throughout their legal pursuit and had worked through official government channels following the formation of the MADANI Government in late-2022 to pursue the matter constructively.
“The party’s resolution urging the federal government to respect the ruling was adopted by the DAP Central Executive Committee and raised through DAP’s five federal ministers in the Cabinet.
“Sabah DAP has always been steadfast in safeguarding the interests of Sabahans. We will continue to ensure that Sabah receives its fair share of revenue in accordance with the (Federal) Constitution and MA63,” Phoong said.
He added that the party would continue to advocate for the full and transparent implementation of the 40 per cent revenue entitlement. – Bernama
