KOTA KINABALU: The Court of Appeal’s stay order on Sabah’s revenue rights case will not slow down or stop ongoing efforts to finalise the formula and payment due to Sabah, says Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Sabah and Sarawak said efforts to finalise the formula and payment of Sabah’s revenue entitlement will resume.
“I wish to emphasise that this stay order should not slow down or halt the ongoing efforts.
“I urge the Secretary-General of the federal Treasury and the State Secretary of Sabah to continue the process of calculation, data verification, and technical negotiations that have already begun,” he said on Monday (Apr 6).
His statements follow the Appellate court’s decision to allow a stay in the implementation of the Kota Kinabau High Court’s order regarding the review and payment return of 40% of Federal revenue to Sabah pending the federal government’s appeal on the ruling.
Mustapha said the process involves complex assessments covering a long period of time and requires thorough examination of financial data and historical records.
With the additional time provided by this postponement, he said both parties now have sufficient space to ensure that every aspect can be detailed carefully, transparently, and with integrity.
“I believe that the momentum already built should not be stopped. Instead, it must be strengthened so that the calculation formula and the fair and accurate payment amount can be finalised as soon as possible.
“This is in line with the Prime Minister’s call that the 40% issue must be resolved comprehensively and based on the spirit of the Federal Constitution as well as fairness to the state of Sabah.
“Our commitment is clear — to ensure Sabah’s rights are implemented responsibly, based on facts, and through close cooperation between the state and Federal governments,” he added.
Mustapha also urged all parties to take into account the nation’s financial situation in dealing with the economic crisis caused by the war in the Middle East.
The current priority is to minimise the impact of the crisis and to ensure the welfare of the people continues to be safeguarded, he said.
