Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government should show commitment and sincerity in honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Federal Constitution by not filing an appeal to the Federal Court against the Court of Appeal decision, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Supreme Council member cum Youth Movement Vice Chairman Yong Yit Jee.
The Court of Appeal on Tuesday dismissed the Federal Government’s appeal against the High Court decision of Nov 11, 2022 in granting leave to SLS for judicial review against the Federal Government’s failure to conduct a review of the 40pc special grant due to Sabah under the Federal Constitution.
Yong, a lawyer, welcomed the decision and congratulated SLS on its win.
“Many promises have been made by the Federal Government over the years. However, MA63, especially this 40pc net revenue entitlement, has been consistently side-lined or given empty promises.”
Yong also said the Federal Government’s attitude towards the 40pc special grant is particularly insulting.
To announce that there’s an increased allocation by the Federal Government to Sabah compared to previous years is essentially an insult to Sabahans’ intelligence.
Those funds are for specific operational expenditures within Sabah, which is tightly controlled and subject to the Federal Government, and do not flow directly into State’s coffers,” he said in a statement.
“This 40pc special grant is completely different. It represents a share of revenue generated within Sabah and goes directly to State’s coffers where Sabah could exercise autonomy over their use.”
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