Warisan’s Chen: Sabahans expect action, not more assurances on 40 pct entitlement

KOTA KINABALU (March 16): Parti Warisan (Warisan) Supreme Council member Chen Ket Chuin today urged the fderal government to translate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s latest pledge on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement into concrete action, stressing that Sabahans are now expect implementation — not another round of assurances.

Chen welcomed the Anwar’s statement reaffirming Putrajaya’s commitment to Sabah’s constitutional entitlement under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, but said the real test lies in whether the government will move swiftly to honour the High Court’s ruling on the matter.

“If the Prime Minister truly stands by this commitment, then Sabahans expect one simple thing — action that matches those words,” he said.

Anwar, speaking at a Madani Iftar event at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) last night, said the federal government recognises that the claim is final and not subject to appeal, but detailed discussions are necessary to ensure the matter can be resolved in the best way for the benefit of Sabah and its people.

However, Chen pointed out that the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak has already ruled that Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is valid, and ordered the federal government to review, negotiate and resolve the matter within clear timelines.

“These were not suggestions. They were binding court orders,” he asserted.

He noted that despite the ruling, the federal government had proceeded with an appeal and a stay application — steps that inevitably raise concerns about possible delays in implementing the court’s decision.

“With respect, Sabahans are not naïve. An appeal — especially when accompanied by a stay application — risks delaying the very decision the government claims it accepts,” he said.

Chen also responded to concerns raised by the Prime Minister previously about the strong language used in the court’s judgment regarding decades of constitutional neglect.

“Courts exist to declare the law, not to protect political comfort. If constitutional obligations have been neglected for decades, the proper response is not to appeal the wording but to correct the breach and honour the Constitution,” he said.

He stressed that the issue before the country is now straightforward: whether the federal government will comply with the court’s order and begin meaningful negotiations on Sabah’s entitlement without further delay.

“Sabahans have heard promises for many years — promises that the matter would be studied, reviewed and discussed. Yet the constitutional right guaranteed to Sabah since the formation of Malaysia remains unfulfilled,” he said.

Chen emphasised that Sabah is not asking for special treatment, but for what is clearly provided for under the Federal Constitution.

“Sabah is not asking for charity. Sabah is asking for what the Constitution guarantees,” he reiterated.

He also called on all Sabah MPs and state assemblymen — regardless of party affiliation — to unite in defending the state’s constitutional rights.

“The 40 per cent revenue entitlement is not a partisan demand. It is Sabah’s constitutional birthright.

“If the federal government truly recognises this right, then the next step is clear — honour the court’s order, proceed with negotiations, and ensure this long-standing constitutional obligation is finally fulfilled,” he said.