Kota Kinabalu: Likas Assemblyman Tham Yun Fook urged Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud to state his stand on defending Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent of net revenue following the Federal Government’s application to postpone the implementation of a High Court decision.
Tham said Mustapha’s claim that he was “shocked” by the Federal Government’s move raised serious questions over whether he had prior knowledge of the application.
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“If the Minister was unaware, it would suggest that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not take seriously the position of the Minister.”
Tham said such an important decision should not have been made without the knowledge of the Minister responsible for safeguarding Sabah’s interests.
He said the claim for the 40 per cent share was a constitutional right of the State and should not be treated lightly or turned into a political issue.
Star President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan said Mustapha’s admission that he was “surprised” by the Federal Government’s move was unacceptable for a Minister responsible for Sabah and Sarawak affairs.
He carries a direct responsibility to safeguard Sabah’s constitutional rights and to remain fully informed on matters of such national importance,” the Keningau MP and Tambunan Assemblyman said.
He said for a minister in that position to claim ignorance of a major legal move by the Federal Government raised “serious questions” about either the level of coordination within the administration or the seriousness with which Sabah’s rights were being defended.
He urged Mustapha to clearly state his position on the matter. “Does he support the move to suspend the court ruling, or will he stand firmly with the people of Sabah in demanding that the decision be implemented without further delay?”
Jeffrey said the High Court ruling in favour of the Sabah Law Society was a historic decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional entitlement to 40 per cent of the net revenue collected by the federation from the state.
“Any attempt to stay or delay the implementation of that ruling sends a troubling signal to the people of Sabah that their long-standing rights can continue to be postponed,” he said.
He noted that the federal government had earlier indicated it would honour the 40 per cent entitlement and would not appeal the decision. Seeking a stay while claiming support for the entitlement appeared contradictory.
Jeffrey said Sabahans were tired of prolonged committees, technical discussions and bureaucratic delays over an issue that had been debated for decades.
