SANDAKAN: Former Member of Parliament Chong Hon Min pointed out that the Prime Minister’s recent increase in Sabah’s special grant must not be confused with the state’s constitutional right to 40% of net federal revenue, as the two are entirely separate matters.
He explained that a special grant is an annual federal allocation based on fiscal policy, whereas the 40% revenue entitlement is a statutory right explicitly guaranteed under the Federal Constitution — one cannot replace or offset the other.
What Sabah demands is not additional favours but the fulfilment of a constitutional obligation, and no amount of grant, whether RM1.5 billion or RM10 billion, can substitute for that right.
Chong noted that Sabah has been unfairly denied this constitutionally entitled revenue for over half a century, leaving the Federal Government owing the people a proper explanation and accounting.
Due to this prolonged fiscal shortfall, Sabah has lagged behind other states in economic growth, education, healthcare and infrastructure, becoming one of Malaysia’s poorest despite its abundant natural resources and significant national contributions.
He stressed that the Federal Government has repeatedly acknowledged the existence of this right, so the real question is when — not whether — it will be fully implemented.
The Kota Kinabalu High Court has already ruled that an agreement must be reached and implemented within 180 days; the people expect action, not endless negotiations or further delays.
Chong called on the Federal Government to immediately announce a clear timetable for implementation, including retrospective calculations, and to demonstrate political commitment through concrete action to restore Sabah’s lawful entitlement. – James Leong
Chong noted that Sabah has been unfairly denied this constitutionally entitled revenue for over half a century.
