Kota Kinabalu: ONLY the Madani Federal Government has fully recognised Sabah’s constitutional right to the 40 per cent revenue entitlement, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
“This is historic. For 48 years, no government has officially recognised this right. Today, it is clearly acknowledged,” he said.
He stressed that the ongoing appeal is not against the entitlement itself, but at addressing serious legal issues arising from the High Court judgment.
He explained that certain statements in the court judgment carry serious implications, including allegations that federal and state governments since 1974 had “misused power.”
“If we leave that part of the judgment unchallenged, anyone could lodge a police report.
“Although this is a civil case, nothing stops individuals from claiming that previous federal and state administrations ‘misused power,’ potentially implicating past leaders including previous Prime Minister and Chief Ministers such as Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Tan Sri Bernard Dompok,” he said.
“As Cabinet ministers, we have a duty to safeguard the unity of the Federation. Appealing the entitlement could be exploited by certain individuals to inflame emotions, stir anti-federal sentiment, and influence Sabah voters. Our responsibility is to defend the Federation and uphold its unity.”
“DAP Sabah has always supported Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement. It cannot remain just on paper. We have consistently pressed Putrajaya on this matter and were the first political group to take legal action, demonstrating our firm commitment,” he added.
