Kota kinabalu: The issue of Sabah's 40 per cent revenue entitlement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) remains a key priority for Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH), which maintains that the matter must be resolved in accordance with the timeline set by the court for the benefit of the people of the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, said the issue was discussed at a Sabah PH meeting attended by component parties DAP, Amanah, and PKR. Mustapha emphasized the strong concerns expressed by party leaders and their urging for the matter to be resolved timely, as determined by the court.
Also present at the meeting were Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe and Sabah Amanah chairman Datuk Lahirul Latigu. Mustapha, who has been assigned as the secretariat to the MA63 Implementation Action Council, stated he would convey the raised concerns to the Technical Committee and the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
To enhance the consultation process, Mustapha noted the Cabinet's decision to appoint two Sabah ministers, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, to the Technical Committee and the MA63 Implementation Action Council at the federal level. Both ministers are set to attend the technical committee meeting on February 23, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, involving representatives from the federal government and the Sabah and Sarawak state governments.
In response to inquiries about Sabah's 'Lost Years,' Mustapha mentioned that a separate committee led by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) would present the issue. He highlighted that a committee from the MOF will update on the matter, leading to further discussions. Two committee-level meetings had been conducted, co-chaired by State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, to deliberate on related issues.
On October 17, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the federal government is obligated to review and pay Sabah its 40 per cent net revenue entitlement.
Phoong highlighted that the 40 per cent claim is a significant political agenda that cannot be underestimated, as the people of Sabah are eagerly anticipating its resolution. He stressed the urgency of resolving the issue, noting the tight timeframe and the necessity of prioritizing it at both federal and state levels.