KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Federal Government respects the High Court’s landmark decision on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement and will carefully study the ruling’s financial implications before deciding on any further action.
His comments come a day after the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that Sabah has a constitutional right to 40 per cent of the net revenue derived by the federation from the state.
The court also ordered the federal and state governments to conduct a new review and reach a settlement on the amount owed.
“We officially respect the decision that has been made by the court, and are with the people of Sabah,” Zahid said.
However, when asked if the government would heed calls from Sabah Barisan Nasional not to appeal the decision, the coalition’s chairman stated that the matter required careful consideration.
“From the government’s point of view, of course we will examine the decision based on reasonability and financial standing. But we will leave it to the prime minister to bring this matter to the Cabinet for further discussion,” he said.
When asked if the 40 per cent entitlement would be included in BN’s manifesto for the upcoming state election, Zahid said the priority was to ensure Sabah receives what it needs for development.
“The manifesto will be the basis of the agreement that we will present to the voters in Sabah,” he added.
He stressed that the next state government must focus on resolving long-standing issues related to roads, water, and electricity to make Sabah a developed state.
Zahid also noted that with no single party likely to dominate the state election, political cooperation and shared governance would be inevitable.
On seats, he said negotiations with PH prioritised avoiding overlaps between BN and PH. “Additionally, PH is still in discussions with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to determine the seats they will contest.”
He said 81pc 81 of its candidates will be new faces, with 50 per cent being young. Additionally, he acknowledged Sabah’s political landscape, where no single party or coalition is likely to win an outright majority.
“The government that will be formed later, I am almost certain there will not be a single party or coalition of parties that will dominate.
“It will certainly require power-sharing, and at that time, not only the manifesto but also other important matters for the people of Sabah to continue developing and enjoying prosperity will become priorities for the government to be formed,” he said.
On the two suspended Sabah Umno members – Tanjung Keramat incumbent Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Tanjong Batu incumbent Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy – who reportedly plan to contest under the GRS banner, Zahid pointed out the importance of party discipline while acknowledging the legal complexities.
“They are currently suspended and according to reports, they will contest under another banner. We will look into this from both legal and political aspects,” he said.
Both were suspended from Umno following their withdrawal of support from the party in 2023 to back the GRS.
For the record, BN which comprises Umno, MCA, MIC and PBRS won 14 seats in the 16th state election in 2020, namely Bengkoka, Usukan, Karambunai, Tanjung Keramat, Pantai Manis, Sungai Manila, Lamag, Sukau, Segama, Tanjong Batu, Tempasuk, Pantai Dalit, Sugut and Balung.
