A RECENT High Court ruling affirmed Sabah's constitutional right to receive 40% of net revenue derived from the state, a matter that has been unresolved for nearly five decades.
Following the judgment, questions arose about whether the Federal Government would challenge the decision through an appeal.
Is it true that the Federal Government has appealed the Sabah 40% revenue ruling?
Verdict:
FALSE
The Federal Government will not appeal the recent High Court ruling affirming Sabah's right to 40% of net revenue derived from the state.
The decision not to appeal the ruling was made after a special Cabinet meeting held to discuss the matter, said the Attorney General Chambers (AGC).
"As such, the Federal Government will commence the process of negotiations with the Sabah state government immediately," the AGC said in a statement issued on Tuesday (Nov 11).
However, the AGC disputed the court's reasoning behind the judgment with regard to the abuse of powers by the Federal Government and failing to keep obligations since 1974.
On Oct 17, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled in favour of the Sabah Law Society (SLS) judicial review.
The court decided that the Federal Government had acted unlawfully by failing to fulfil Sabah's constitutional entitlement to 40% of the net federal revenue derived from the state for nearly five decades.
According to the ruling, the Federal Government must commence negotiations and carry out a review on the grant due for the lost years within 90 days of the court's decision.
The settlement repayments must be completed within 180 days thereafter.
Meanwhile, former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said that the Federal Government's decision is a victory for the people of Sabah.
The Sabah Progressive Party president said that the struggle must be continued so that the full amount of the 40% is paid back.
The Federal Government's decision to proceed with negotiations rather than appeal marks a significant step towards resolving the long-standing revenue dispute.
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