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ON the long-standing 40 per cent net revenue entitlement, Madius said the matter is expressly provided for under Article 113C and the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

“We have been denied that right for decades. If it is implemented today, there will naturally be financial implications for the Federal Government — but that cannot be blamed on Sabah.

“The failure to implement it earlier was not our doing,” he said.

He added that Sabah had sought judicial clarification on the matter, underscoring that the issue is one of constitutional compliance rather than political bargaining.

On calls for one-third parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, Madius argued that the demand is rooted in the original 1963 seat distribution.

At the formation of Malaysia, he said, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore collectively held enough seats to prevent unilateral constitutional amendments by Peninsular Malaysia.

However, following Singapore’s exit in 1965, its 15 parliamentary seats were not redistributed to Sabah and Sarawak.

“The result today is that peninsula MPs alone can command the two-thirds majority required to amend the Federal Constitution. That was not the original spirit of the federation,” he said.

Restoring one-third representation for Sabah and Sarawak, he added, would re-establish the structural safeguard intended at the formation of Malaysia.

Madius also said electoral boundary reviews for Sabah and Sarawak are overdue under constitutional requirements, noting that seat reviews are mandated periodically.

“This is a constitutional process. It should not be mischaracterised as political manoeuvring,” he said.

Beyond constitutional provisions, Madius highlighted development disparities, noting that despite Sabah’s vast natural resources, eight of the 10 poorest districts in Malaysia are located in the State.

“Sabah and Sarawak together account for about 60 per cent of Malaysia’s landmass. Yet large parts of these regions remain underdeveloped. No Malaysian should be proud of that,” he said.

“If Sabah moves forward, Malaysia moves forward. If Sabah remains behind, Malaysia cannot claim overall success.”