KOTA KINABALU - Gabungan Rakyat Sabah is confident Sabah will realise its 40 per cent revenue entitlement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The GRS deputy secretary general said this follows formal commitments from the Federal Government, adding the administration is guided by official parliamentary replies and Cabinet decisions, not political rhetoric.
“If you look at past parliamentary replies from previous administrations, the 40 per cent entitlement was considered not in force. That was why no review was ever carried out,” he added.
He spoke before the launch of GRS’ state election manifesto on Monday (Nov 17).
Under the current Unity Government, he said the Prime Minister has stated in Parliament that Putrajaya will not appeal the Court’s decision.
“This means the 40 per cent provision under Article 112C and Section 1(1)(e) becomes the basis for determining Sabah’s annual special grant,” he said.
He said a dedicated federal state negotiation platform is now established, separate from the broader MA63 committee.
“Before this, the issue was discussed alongside more than 20 other MA63 matters,” he said.
“Now there is one platform focusing solely on the 40 per cent,” he added.
He said the first officers level meeting is also held on Monday (Nov 17).
Armizan said GRS wants the platform to continue beyond the current computation.
He said it should serve as a permanent mechanism for the mandatory five-year review cycle under the Federal Constitution.
“This is not just about resolving it this round. Every five years there must be a review, and the same mechanism should function for that,” he added.
He said the issue should not be oversimplified.
“Some parties fan sentiment by making it sound like you can snap your fingers and the money appears, but this is a constitutional matter with decades-old consequences,” he added.
“We must be factual and avoid misleading the people,” he said.
Armizan said strengthening Sabah’s fiscal capacity remains crucial.
“A stronger revenue base enables the state to negotiate from a position of confidence,” he said.
He added GRS is optimistic about a positive outcome.
“With federal commitment and a formal mechanism in place, Sabah is better positioned to realise what is rightfully ours,” he said. - THE STAR