‘Actions not matching words’: MP calls out delay over review of Sabah’s 40 pct revenue right

KOTA KINABALU (April 6): The decision allowing the federal government to delay the implementation of the review over Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement is a case of ‘actions not matching words’.

In calling this out, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau viewed the situation as ‘aheavy blow’ and ‘a dark chapter’ in the state’s struggle for its rights.

“It is widely known that the Prime Minister has clearly stated that the government would not appeal the decision on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement; that it’s final.

“Unfortunately, what transpired in court is in stark contrast to that assurance.

“The Attorney General, representing the federal government, applied for and obtained a stay order.

“They said there would be no appeal, yet an appeal was made.

“Why is there a double standard between political statements made to the people of Sabah, and the legal actions taken in court?” he said in a statement on Monday.

Madius further said the delay in the judicial review process was not merely a legal post-ponement, but he also described it as ‘another form of denial of long-overdue responsi-bility’.

“This matter had already been decided by the Kota Kinabalu High Court, which ordered the federal government to pay Sabah after the 180-day negotiation period, which should conclude on April 15,” he said.

According to Madius, the 40 per cent entitlement is a constitutional right enshrined un-der Article 112C and Part IV of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) honorary president thus urged the federal government to immediately withdraw any legal action that would hinder the im-plementation of the revenue entitlement.

“The people of Sabah today are mature and can no longer be placated with mere political rhetoric.

“Betrayed trust will remain etched in memory.

“Sabah will not forget this dark chapter. This struggle has not ended and will not end here,” he stressed.

Madius also recalled that Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto for the 15th General Election clearly stated its commitment of implementing the return of 40 per cent of Sabah’s revenue based on the original formula under Article 112C and the relevant provisions of the Federal Constitution, with periodic reviews as provided under Article 112D.