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Marcus says he is disappointed to learn that the prime minister himself wanted to appeal the court’s decision.
KOTA KINABALU (Jan 22): The federal government must respect and honour the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s decision and pay Sabah its 40 per cent entitlement as ordered, former Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus Makin Mojigoh said.
Judging by the actions of the federal government to date, the former parliamentarian said it appeared as though Sabah was neither respected nor given due consideration.
“We demand that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim treat Sabahans properly.
“If not, do not dream of winning in Sabah in the coming election,” he said.
Marcus recalled that prior to winning the last general election, Anwar had pledged to honour and implement the provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) within a few months.
“Now, as we wait until today, all that remains are unfulfilled promises,” he said.
Marcus said he was disappointed to learn that the prime minister himself wanted to appeal the court’s decision.
“I urge Anwar not to appeal the court ruling, to respect the decision, and to return the 40 per cent revenue collected from Sabah by the federal government so that we can develop Sabah and improve the livelihood of our people,” he said.
He reminded that eight of the poorest districts in the country are located in Sabah, despite the state being rich in natural resources.
“It is ironic that Sabah remains among the most underdeveloped states,” he said.
“Our people are suffering, and our economy is also struggling,” he added.
Marcus further pointed out that the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling stated that the federal government must sit down and negotiate with the Sabah government within 180 days of the decision on the payment of the 40 per cent entitlement.
Yet to this day, Sabahans are still waiting for the outcome.
“It was Anwar, as head of the federal government, who decided to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
“We are still waiting. This has become a topic of discussion in coffee shops and villages, with Sabahans questioning why Anwar chose to do so and calling on him to stop the appeal and make a decision on the amount collected from Sabah,” he said.
Marcus noted that technicalities had been cited as reasons for appealing the court’s decision.
“However, to the people of Sabah, including those in rural areas, this only shows what little respect is being accorded to the court’s decision and to Sabah,” he said.
He warned that Anwar’s decision to appeal would be reflected in the level of support given by the people of Sabah in the coming election.
“Rest assured, the people of Sabah will make their decision,” he said.
On Oct 17, 2025, Kota Kinabalu High Court Judge Celestina Stuel Galid ruled that the federal government acted unlawfully and beyond its constitutional powers by failing to honour Sabah’s 40 per cent share of federal revenue for nearly five decades.
The court ordered the federal and state governments to work out payment details required under the Constitution within 180 days.
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