KOTA KINABALU: The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) has urged the Attorney General not to file an appeal against the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% of federal revenue derived from the state.
Upko secretary-general Senator Datuk Nelson W. Angang said the ruling in favour of the Sabah Law Society (SLS) was a historic milestone that reaffirmed the rule of law and the principles of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the decision was not just a legal victory but also a moral triumph for the people of Sabah, who have long sought full recognition and implementation of their rights under MA63.
“This is not about politics — it is about the future of our state,” he said in a statement on Friday (Oct 17).
Nelson commended the SLS for its courage in bringing the case to court, saying it had paved the way for policy reforms and a more equitable financial relationship between Sabah and the Federal Government.
He said the ruling brought much-needed relief after nearly five decades without a proper review of the state’s 40% revenue entitlement, adding that it demonstrated that Malaysia’s legal system continues to be a credible avenue to uphold justice and ensure constitutional commitments are honoured.
“The federal government must take its constitutional obligations towards Sabah seriously. This is the right of the people, not merely a political promise or technical issue,” he said.
Nelson said Upko fully respected the judicial process and believed the decision sent a clear message that the federal government should act in good faith to honour its constitutional duties towards Sabah.
He added that the struggle for Sabah’s rights is not only about finances but also about dignity, justice, and the rightful position of the state within the federation.
“Upko has consistently championed the full implementation of Sabah’s rights under MA63 without compromise. This decision further strengthens that cause and renews the people’s confidence in the pursuit of justice,” he said.
He also called on the incoming Sabah government to take a more proactive role in future MA63 negotiations, ensuring outcomes that genuinely reflect the interests of Sabahans rather than serving as mere symbolic gestures.
“We do not want these negotiations to become another exercise on paper. Upko calls upon both the State and Federal Governments to engage in transparent, professional, and fair discussions anchored in the true spirit of justice,” he added.
The High Court in Kota Kinabalu ruled today that the federal government had breached its constitutional duty by failing to conduct a proper review with the Sabah Government on the 40% revenue entitlement since 1974.
The court declared that the entitlement remains due and payable for every financial year from 1974 to 2021, reaffirming Sabah’s constitutional rights under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
