By JAMES LEONG
SANDAKAN: In the wake of a landmark High Court ruling on state revenue, a former Sabah assemblyman has declared the moment a crucial step towards justice and immediately called on the Federal Government to address another long-standing grievance: the return of Sabah’s maritime territory.
Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, the former assemblyman for Tanjong Papat, welcomed the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s recent decision which reaffirmed Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% of net federal revenue derived from the state. He described it as a vital affirmation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
However, Poon stressed that another critical issue remains unresolved—the Territorial Sea Act 2012 (TSA), which he labelled a unilateral breach of Sabah’s autonomy.
“The TSA 2012 contradicts the spirit of MA63, as it unilaterally reduced Sabah’s jurisdictional waters without the consent of the State Assembly, depriving Sabah of resource rights beyond that line,” Poon stated.
He argued that under MA63, Sabah retained control over its territorial waters and natural resources, a principle he insists was never lawfully amended. By restricting the state’s boundary to three nautical miles, the Act effectively transferred ownership and control of offshore oil, gas, and other marine resources to the Federal Government.
In a direct call to action, Poon urged the Federal Government to:
Review and amend the Territorial Sea Act 2012 to restore Sabah’s rightful maritime boundary.
Ensure full transparency in the ongoing 40% revenue review, including the publication of data from 1974 to 2021.
Respect the spirit and letter of MA63, which upholds Sabah’s equal partnership within Malaysia.
Emphasizing that this was a matter of fundamental justice, not a request for special treatment, Poon concluded with a firm declaration.
“This is not a demand for special treatment, it is a demand for justice,” he said. “Sabah’s rights over its sea, land, and resources are not negotiable. The 40% entitlement is our constitutional right; our maritime boundary is our birthright.”
The statement sets a clear agenda for Sabah’s leaders, linking the recent judicial victory on revenue with the ongoing campaign for control over its maritime resources, framing both as essential to fulfilling the promise of MA63.
It is a demand for justice’ – Poon
