KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, president of Sabah STAR, criticised the federal government's request for a stay on the High Court's October 17 ruling affirming Sabah's constitutional right to 40% of federal revenue.
Kitingan described the move as contradictory, especially since the government had previously assured it would not appeal the decision.
“Seeking a stay of the ruling, while claiming to support the entitlement in principle, appears contradictory,” said the Keningau MP and Tambunan assemblyman on Sunday (March 8).
He expressed concerns over the government's lack of decisive action on what he called a long-standing constitutional right
Kitingan also questioned the awareness and responsibility of Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, regarding the legal appeal.
Kitingan urged Mustapha to clarify his position: whether he supports the federal government's stay application or stands with the people of Sabah.
He emphasised that any delay in implementing the High Court's ruling would signal a troubling disregard for Sabah's rights.
