KOTA KINABALU: Sabah rights legal activist Datuk Roger Chin, who was appointed a nominated assemblyman on Tuesday (Dec 2), vowed to remain apolitical in his role with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Chin said he accepted the appointment on the express condition that he would not be required to join any political party, and that he would serve solely in a professional legal capacity, particularly on matters related to Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the state’s claim for the 40% revenue entitlement.
“I told them I am not joining any party, because that would dilute me,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Dec 3).
He added that he had been informed he would assist in the state’s legal matters, including issues surrounding MA63 and negotiations over Sabah’s 40% share of federal revenue.
Chin, a former Sabah Law Society (SLS) president, had previously initiated legal action to assert Sabah’s right to the 40% federal revenue return.
On Oct 17, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the federal government had acted unlawfully by failing to fulfil Sabah’s constitutional right to the 40% share of federal revenue derived from the state between 1974 and 2021, in violation of the Federal Constitution under the 10th Schedule.
The court also ordered Putrajaya to review the revenue allocation with the state government and to reach an agreement on Sabah’s 40% share for each financial year from 1974 to 2021 within 180 days.
While the federal government is appealing certain aspects of the judgment, it has said it will honour Sabah’s right to the 40% revenue share and has set up a joint committee for negotiations.
In a Facebook post, Chin addressed public concerns over whether his independence would be compromised by the appointment.
“I know many are concerned — will I still be able to speak up? Will I be compromised? Let me say this as clearly as I can: I am not a member of any political party. I was brought in as a professional, not as someone politically affiliated.
“My independence is intact, and it will remain that way. If anything, this role gives me a firmer platform to speak up when it truly matters,” he wrote.
Chin also emphasised that his appointment was not political.
“I was assured that I would remain independent. The role of a nominated assemblyman exists precisely for people who bring professional expertise into the Legislative Assembly — voices that can represent communities and issues that are often underrepresented or overlooked,” he said.
He added that he believed it would be more effective to engage directly in shaping decisions rather than merely critiquing from outside.
“So to everyone who is worried: I will continue to speak out, and I will continue to stand my ground. Independence isn’t just a condition for me — it’s the entire reason I accepted this responsibility in the first place,” he said.
Chin was among six individuals appointed as nominated assemblymen by Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman.
