Kota Kinabalu: Likas Assemblyman Tham Yun Fook called on the State Government to establish a bipartisan special committee to ensure the High Court decision on the return of 40 per cent of Sabah’s net tax revenue is implemented seriously, transparently and in an orderly manner.
He said more than 90 days have passed since the High Court delivered its ruling, yet Sabahans have not been clearly or officially informed of any concrete steps or a definitive timeline for the implementation of the decision.
“The prolonged delay risks creating the perception that the court’s ruling is not being given the priority it deserves,” he said, in a statement, Thursday.
Tham was responding to recent statements by Appointed Assemblyman Datuk Roger Chin, a former Sabah Law Society Chairman, and Federal Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil regarding the implementation of the court decision.
“The High Court’s decision constitutes a legally binding order and should not be delayed due to administrative reasons or political considerations,” he said, adding the matter involves Sabah’s constitutional rights and the State Government’s ability to plan and carry out sustainable development for the benefit of the people.
He proposed that the State Government immediately form a bipartisan special committee comprising representatives from the Government, opposition assemblymen, legal experts and relevant stakeholders.
According to Tham, the committee should ensure that negotiations are conducted in a fact-based, transparent and effective manner, and that Sabah’s entitlement to the 40 per cent tax revenue is realised promptly.
“The establishment of such a committee would demonstrate the State Government’s commitment and institutional maturity in defending the State’s rights based on the rule of law, while preventing this important issue from being politicised in an unconstructive way,” he said.
Tham emphasised that the issue of the 40 per cent tax revenue should not be treated as a partisan political matter, but as one involving constitutional rights and the long-term interests of Sabahans, which must be addressed in a united and solution-oriented manner.
