KUALA LUMPUR: Negotiations between the Federal Government and Sabah over the state's 40% entitlement will be fast-tracked once a new state government is formed, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said he decided to call for a special Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (Nov 11) to hear the opinion of the Attorney-General as the government's legal adviser.
"Some people ask why a decision cannot be made immediately. We cannot do that as we have a process to follow.
"For any judicial decision, the AG is the government's legal counsel.
"So we have to hear from them first, then the Cabinet will discuss and decide," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Richard Rapu (GPS-Betong) during the Prime Minister's Question Time in parliament today (Nov 11).
"We agree in principle, and negotiations have already begun, we just have to see the overall picture and when negotiations can take place.
"Regarding the mandamus, the Kota Kinabalu judge stated that negotiations must be initiated.
"However, at present, it is an interim government, and we cannot negotiate yet.
"Once the government is formed, I will direct that negotiations be expedited, possibly in the first week of December," added Anwar.
The Prime Minister also dismissed claims that there were no previous negotiations between the Federal Government and Sabah.
"Before that, I want to clarify that the Deputy Prime Minister II chairs the technical committee. This matter has been raised.
"So, if anyone says there were no negotiations, that is not true. Negotiations did take place.
"The finalisation occurred after meetings with the Prime Minister, including the Premier of Sarawak and the Chief Minister of Sabah.
"If it cannot be finalised, it is referred to as interim," said Anwar.
The Federal Government has previously said that it remains committed to resolving the matter concerning the state's right to 40% of federal revenue collected in Sabah, as stipulated under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and to ensuring that all related discussions are handled transparently and in good faith.
