Bipartisan panel needed to safeguard Sabah’s 40 pct revenue rights, says Likas rep

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 15): Likas assemblyman Tham Yun Fook has called on the Sabah government to immediately establish a bipartisan special committee to ensure the High Court’s decision on the return of 40 per cent of Sabah’s tax revenue is implemented seriously and in an orderly manner.

In a statement, Tham proposed that the committee comprise representatives from the state government, opposition elected representatives, legal experts, and other relevant stakeholders.

Tham, from Parti Warisan, said such a body would help ensure that negotiations are conducted in a fact-based, transparent, and effective manner, and that Sabah’s right to the 40 per cent tax revenue is realised promptly and systematically.

“The establishment of such a committee would reflect the Sabah’s state government’s commitment and institutional maturity in defending its rights based on the rule of law, while preventing this issue from being politicised in an unconstructive manner,” he said.

Tham stressed that the tax revenue issue should not be viewed through a partisan political lens, but as a matter involving Sabah’s constitutional rights and the long-term interests of its people.

“It must be addressed in a united, principled, and solution-oriented manner,” he stressed.

Tham was responding to statements by Datuk Roger Chin, one of the six nominated assemblymen and a former chairman of the Sabah Law Society, as well as by Putrajaya’s spokesperson, Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, regarding the implementation of the High Court’s decision on the return of 40 per cent of net tax revenue to the Sabah state government.

He noted that despite various explanations that have been put forward, 90 days have passed since the High Court delivered its decision.

“However, the people of Sabah have yet to be clearly and officially informed of any concrete steps or a definitive timeline for the implementation of the return of the 40 per cent tax revenue,” he said.

Tham cautioned that this prolonged delay risks creating the perception that the court’s decision is not being accorded the priority it deserves.

“The High Court’s decision constitutes a legally binding order and its implementation should not be delayed due to administrative reasons or political considerations,” he said.

“This matter concerns Sabah’s constitutional rights and the state government’s capacity to plan and implement sustainable development for the well-being of its people.”