Kota Kinabalu: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said technical negotiations over Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement will continue.
“The stay order should not be used as a reason to slow down or halt the ongoing work between Federal and State officials to finalise the payment formula,” he said, Monday.
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“I urge the Treasury Secretary-General and the Sabah State Secretary to continue the calculation process, data verification and technical negotiations that have already been initiated.”
His statement came following the decision by the Court of Appeal Monday to allow the Federal Government’s application to stay the High Court order on the review of the calculation and payment of Sabah’s Special Grant entitlement.
A three-member bench chaired by Judge Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, with Datuk Ismail Brahim and Muniandy Kannyappan, granted the stay pending disposal of the appeal.
Mustapha acknowledged that arriving at a final figure was no straightforward task, pointing out that the process is a complex assessment spanning an extended period and requiring thorough scrutiny of financial data and historical records.
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He said the additional time afforded by the stay should instead be treated as an opportunity to ensure every aspect of the calculation is handled carefully, transparently and with integrity.
“The momentum that has been built must not be stopped. On the contrary, it must be strengthened so that a fair and accurate payment formula and amount can be finalised as soon as possible,” he said.
Mustapha said the push to resolve the long-standing issue was consistent with the directive of the Prime Minister, who had called for the 40 per cent matter to be resolved comprehensively and in the spirit of the Federal Constitution and fairness to Sabah.
“Our commitment is clear … to ensure Sabah’s rights are fulfilled through a responsible, fact-based approach and through close cooperation between the state and federal governments,” he said.
At the same time, he called on all parties to remain mindful of the country’s current fiscal position amid the global economic fallout from the Middle East conflict.
“The priority now is to ensure the impact of the crisis is minimised and the welfare of the people continues to receive attention,” he added.
