Sabah PH components hail court win on 40pc revenue as ‘historic justice’ under MA63
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 17 — Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties today joined the cheers from Sabahans following the High Court’s landmark decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the state, describing it as a long-awaited restoration of justice under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
DAP, PKR and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) each issued statements welcoming the ruling in favour of the Sabah Law Society (SLS), which they said vindicated the long struggle to uphold Sabah’s constitutional and fiscal rights.
The three parties had, in 2023, withdrawn their own legal challenge on the same issue after joining both the state and federal governments, citing a commitment to pursue the matter through policy and political negotiation instead.
The 12 elected representatives had filed an originating summons on June 3, 2022, against the federal and state governments in the High Court seeking an order to recognise and deliver Sabah’s constitutional rights as provided under the Constitution. They later withdrew it when their party formed the federal government in November 2022 and joined the Sabah state government in January 2023, midway through the term.
They now hail the decision as a restoration of state rights.
“This decision is a historic step forward in restoring justice and fairness for the people of Sabah,” said DAP Sabah chairman Phoong Jin Zhe.
He said the ruling reaffirmed that the 40 per cent entitlement was not a political favour but a constitutional obligation that must now be implemented in full.
“This ruling proves that MA63 rights are not rhetorical promises — they are legally binding obligations,” he said.
DAP and UPKO have urged the Attorney General not to appeal the decision, warning that prolonging the case would only deepen frustration among Sabahans.
UPKO secretary-general Senator Datuk Nelson Angang called on both the state and federal governments to implement the court order “transparently and without delay” to ensure that the 40 per cent formula is applied as intended under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution.
PKR Sabah, in a statement, said the judgment was not just about money but about the recognition of Sabah’s place in Malaysia.
“The return of the 40 per cent is not merely a fiscal issue, but a reflection of justice and respect for the spirit of MA63,” it said.
The High Court in Kota Kinabalu today ruled that the federal government must conduct a review within 90 days and reach a mutual agreement with the Sabah government within 180 days on the 40 per cent entitlement, confirming that Sabah’s claim is a constitutional right.
[Source: Malay Mail]
