Kota Kinabalu: A solution to the 40 per cent tax revenue demand by Sabah as per the 1963 Malaysia Agreement is for the State Government to be accorded a direct stake in Petronas.
Sherzali Herza Asli of the Sabah Law Society said shared control and strategic collaboration would be better as the State would not be able to handle the windfall if the billions of ringgit owed were paid.
Speaking to media practitioners and civil society organisations during a recent workshop, here, Sherzali said the promise of 40pc revenue entitlement remains a critical point of justice for Sabah.
He said simply pressing for immediate payment falls short of solving Sabah’s larger economic challenges.
“Imagine a one-third share, equal seats at the table. Instead of begging for what’s ours, we’d be earning it,” he said, advocating for a more powerful, lasting solution one that goes beyond overdue payments to shared ownership and accountability.
Hence, he opines that Sabah should not remain in a position of dependency, waiting on payments from the Federal Government that have been delayed for decades.
“This is not only a matter of economic necessity but of pride and fairness,” he argued, especially when Sabah’s resources are fuelling the wealth of the nation.
