KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government has been urged to accept the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow the Sabah Law Society (SLS) to proceed with a judicial review over Sabah's entitlement to 40% of grant revenue.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth vice-chairman Yong Yit Jee said the federal Attorney General's Chambers should not pursue the case any further at the apex court.
“The government should show commitment and sincerity in honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Federal Constitution by not appealing the decision,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (June 18).
The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the federal Attorney General’s appeal against granting leave to the SLS to proceed with a judicial review of the state’s constitutional right to receive 40% of its special grant revenue on Tuesday.
In dismissing the appeal via online proceedings, a three-member panel decided that SLS has locus standi for the review.
Justice Ravinthran Paramuguru said the two main issues raised by the Senior Federal Counsel (SFC), namely locus standi and justiciability, lacked merit given the factual and legal matrix of the unprecedented application for judicial review.
Yong, a lawyer, welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision and congratulated SLS on its victory.
“Many promises have been made by the Federal Government over the years.
“However, the MA63, especially this 40% net revenue entitlement, has been consistently side-lined or given empty promises,” he said.
