KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government hopes that the Federal Government will fulfil its responsibilities as agreed upon during the formation of Malaysia following the High Court’s decision allowing another review of the 40% net revenue entitlement to Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in welcoming the court decision, said that the state was relieved with the ruling which ordered the Federal Government to conduct another review on the grant due for the lost years within 90 days.
“It confirmed Sabah's right as stipulated in the Federal Constitution, particularly under Article 112C and 112D," he said.
He said the victory also recognised the vital role of the state government of Sabah, which has continued to uphold and assert the state's constitutional rights.
Hajiji said the state's efforts in clarifying the historical records, including the Share of Growth of Federal Revenue Derived from Sabah from 1964 to 1968, have been instrumental in reaffirming that the intent and effect of Articles 112C and 112D remain unchanged.
"The acceptance of the interim payments was without prejudice to the State's constitutional rights," he said.
From the outset, he said that in every Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the Sabah government has consistently and firmly presented its claims.
“We have fought for this issue relentlessly through every formal channel, every MA63 meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, and through countless official letters sent to Putrajaya. Not once
have we allowed this matter to pause,” said Hajiji.
"With this decision, we hope that the Federal Government will fulfil its responsibilities as agreed upon during the formation of Malaysia," he said.
He said the state government will engage with the Federal Government to implement the Court’s orders in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, and to ensure that Sabah’s constitutional rights were fully realised.
Hajiji commended the Sabah Law Society (SLS) for bringing the issue to court as a matter of public interest.
High Court Judge Celestina Stuel Galid, in her decision Friday (Oct 17), also instructed that both the Federal and state governments reach a mutual agreement within 180 days from the
date of the order as required under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
