Sabah caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor has expressed the state’s gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Cabinet for their decision not to appeal the High Court ruling reaffirming Sabah’s constitutional right to the 40% special grant.
Hajiji said the decision demonstrates Anwar‘s understanding of Sabah’s expectations and aspirations, and reflects his genuine commitment to uphold what is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
“In my meetings and engagements with the prime minister, I have conveyed the state government’s firm position that Sabah’s constitutional rights must be respected, honoured and fulfilled.
“The decision not to appeal reflects the strong working relationship between the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state government and Putrajaya,” he said in a statement.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers said the decision came after a special Cabinet meeting held today to discuss the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s Oct 17 ruling, which followed a judicial review filed by the Sabah Law Society against the federal government.
Last month, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that Putrajaya acted unlawfully by failing to honour Sabah’s 40% share of federal revenue for nearly five decades.
The AGC said it had informed the Cabinet that the federal government respects the principle of the special grant as outlined in the Federal Constitution, and will therefore begin negotiations with the Sabah government immediately.
Hajiji said Putrajaya’s decision represents a defining step towards narrowing Sabah’s development gap with Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in rural areas.
“Sabahans have waited long enough. What is needed now is firm action and genuine political will to honour and implement the 40% entitlement,” he said.
Hajiji said the state government remains ready to engage constructively with Putrajaya to implement the court’s directive to review and finalise the agreement, and called on the public to continue supporting Anwar‘s leadership.
