KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's long-standing claim for its full 40% net revenue entitlement should be resolved before the next general election, says Sabah Pakatan Harapan.
Its chairman, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said efforts were ongoing to find a solution to the constitutional issue, which has been the subject of negotiations between the Federal and Sabah governments for years.
"If possible, it should be settled before the general election because we know the issue carries many implications," he told reporters after Sabah Pakatan's annual general meeting here on Sunday (June 7).
Mustapha, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), said discussions were continuing following recent developments related to Sabah's claim.
He said Pakatan remained committed to ensuring Sabah's rights under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 are respected and implemented.
The 40% entitlement refers to Sabah's constitutional right to receive a share of federal revenue collected from the state under Article 112C and Part IV of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
The issue has remained a key demand among Sabah leaders, who have repeatedly called for the full entitlement to be paid rather than relying on interim arrangements.
Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Sabah's interim special grant would be increased from RM600mil to RM1.5bil annually while both governments continue discussions on a final mechanism for the 40% revenue entitlement.
Mustapha said the increase reflected Putrajaya's commitment to addressing the matter, but stressed that efforts to reach a permanent solution would continue.
"The important thing is that negotiations are ongoing and we hope a solution can be reached as soon as possible," he said.
