Kuala lumpur: The order to stay the execution of the judgment regarding the review and payment of the special grant entitlement to Sabah should be seen as an opportunity to refine the calculations more thoroughly, transparently, and with integrity. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Mustapha Sakmud emphasized that the process involves complex assessments spanning a long period, necessitating a detailed examination of financial data and historical records.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mustapha stressed that the Court of Appeal's decision to allow the Federal Government's application for a stay should not be used as an excuse to delay ongoing efforts to resolve the matter. He urged the Secretary-General of the Treasury and the Sabah State Secretary to continue with the calculation process, data verification, and technical negotiations already underway. "The momentum must not be halted but strengthened so that a fair and accurate formula and payment amount can be finalized as soon as possible," he said in a statement.

On October 17 of the previous year, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the Federal Government had acted unlawfully and beyond its constitutional authority by failing to fulfill Sabah's right to 40 percent of federal revenue from 1974 to 2021. Mustapha mentioned that his position aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recommendation, calling for the issue to be resolved comprehensively in line with the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and principles of justice for Sabah.

He added that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring Sabah's rights are implemented responsibly, based on facts and in close cooperation with the state government. At the same time, Mustapha urged all parties to consider the country's fiscal position amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. "The priority now is to minimize the impact of the crisis while ensuring the welfare of the people continues to be safeguarded," he concluded.