Kota Kinabalu: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) on Friday called on the Federal Government not to appeal the High Court’s ruling that reaffirmed Sabah’s constitutional right to the 40 per cent special grant entitlement from 1974 to 2021.
In a statement issued after the GRS Presidential Council meeting at Seri Gaya here, the coalition said the decision handed down by the court on Oct 17 was not merely a legal victory but a restoration of constitutional honour that must be respected by all parties.
GRS emphasised that the court’s ruling did not impose any financial penalty on the Federal Government but only directed that the long-overdue constitutional review be conducted in accordance with Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution.
“For that reason, we urge the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Federal Government not to appeal the decision. To appeal would be to oppose the process of negotiation itself, not the outcome,” said the coalition.
GRS stressed that the ruling simply gives effect to what was already agreed and enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution – the foundation upon which Sabah joined in the formation of Malaysia.
Following the court’s decision, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor instructed the State Finance Ministry, the Sabah Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the State Attorney-General’s Chambers to study the grounds of judgement thoroughly.
GRS said Sabah stands ready for meaningful engagement with Putrajaya to carry out the review and conclude an agreement on what is rightfully due to the State.
“For far too long, ordinary Sabahans, from Pitas to Pensiangan, have lived with power cuts, unpaved roads and clinics without doctors – not for lack of effort, but because the resources due to Sabah have not been delivered in full,” said the coalition, adding that the issue goes beyond numbers and statistics to the real consequences of decades of inequity.
GRS also reaffirmed its firm support for Anwar’s leadership, commending his inclusive and open approach that has led to tangible progress for Sabah, including the approval of 13 of the 29 MA63 claims submitted by the State Government.
“Under the leadership of Hajiji, Sabah will always maintain a constructive and respectful working relationship with Putrajaya. We stand firm in our unequivocal support for the Prime Minister,” said the coalition.
The coalition reiterated its absolute commitment to pursuing all entitlements due to Sabah under the Federal Constitution and MA63, as previously stated in its May 2024 declaration.
“This victory is not just about financial figures but about restoring faith in justice for every Sabahan who has waited too long for basic amenities that others in Malaysia have enjoyed for decades,” said the coalition.
It added that Sabah’s claim is not a demand but a constitutional right that transcends politics and government terms, underscoring that Malaysia must be governed by law and good faith, not convenience.
“Let this be the moment the Federal Government not only keeps its promises, but begins to heal the decades of neglect felt by the people of Sabah. The Prime Minister will be remembered by all Sabahans and Malaysians as a leader who cares,” said the coalition.
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