PM Anwar Denies Decision Not To Appeal Sabah Revenue Ruling Linked To State Polls

BANGI, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed claims that the decision not to appeal the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s ruling, on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, was linked to the upcoming state election.

He stressed that the decision was reached collectively, following a series of meetings, chaired by him and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

“A series of meetings, chaired by me, in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur,” he told reporters, after officiating the International Higher Education Institutions (IPT) Islamic Studies Convention 2025, here, today.

He said that the federal government’s rationale for not appealing the court’s decision had been discussed and explained in detail in Parliament today, adding that the federal government had, in fact, taken proactive steps before the state election issue arose.

“No (it’s not because of the Sabah state election)... we have accepted the decision, but the issues lie with the judgment,” he said.

On Nov 11, the federal government decided not to appeal the court’s decision regarding the Special Grant involving Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, as provided for under the Federal Constitution.

During the Ministers’ Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat today, the Prime Minister clarified that the federal government would only file an appeal concerning the defects in the court’s reasoning.

Anwar stressed that the issue of Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement should not be turned into a source of division between regions, reminding that the matter must be viewed within the context of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and the spirit of the Federation.

He said that the issue of Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, which has been widely debated, including in Parliament, is a right enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and should be recognised as a legitimate claim of the state.

“Sabah is not wrong to feel that, since 1963, its share of revenue should be rightfully returned. I have chosen not to make a fuss over it. We will pursue the revenue with all our strength - but let us not undermine the nation’s unity and identity,” he said.

-- BERNAMA