GABUNGAN Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Women’s Wing Chief Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun, said Sabah’s 40 per cent rights must not continue to be delayed due to technical reasons, including the court’s “stay of execution” ruling.
She said postponing the negotiations only reflects a political failure to respect rights long enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
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“Do not use the courts as an excuse for inaction. A ‘stay’ does not mean negotiations should also stop. If there is true political commitment, negotiations must continue without interruption,” she stressed.
Azizah mentioned that the people of Sabah have waited far too long for rights that should have been enjoyed long ago but continue to be denied through various unreasonable excuses.
“This is not a new demand. These are rights that have long been delayed. How much longer must the people of Sabah wait? How long will these rights continue to be sidelined?” she asked.
She also reminded that failing to fulfill Sabah’s rights amounts to neglecting the people of the state, who are also part of Malaysia.
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“The people of Sabah are not second-class citizens. We are entitled to fair treatment. Do not let the people continue to be affected simply because of indecision at the Federal level,” she added.
Earlier, on Monday, the Court of Appeal allowed the Federal Government’s application to postpone the execution order while reviewing Sabah’s entitlement to 40 percent of net revenue collected by the state for the period 1974 to 2021.
A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, unanimously granted the application after being satisfied that the Federal Government had demonstrated special circumstances warranting the postponement.
On the issue of diesel subsidies, Azizah strongly rejected talk that Sabah and Sarawak receive subsidies purely for political reasons.
“That statement is irresponsible and intentionally misleading. The fact is that oil revenue comes from Sabah and Sarawak. So do not question our right to benefit from our own resources,” she said.
She criticised those who challenge Sabah’s special privileges without understanding the actual cost of living in the state.
“Even with subsidies, the people of Sabah still bear higher living costs due to policies like cabotage and logistics expenses.
“So do not speak as if Sabah is being ‘overly pampered,’” she said.
In the same development, she stressed that Sabah deserves additional parliamentary seats to reflect the state’s size and the growing needs of its people.
“If true fairness is to prevail, Sabah should not only retain the existing 25 seats but also see an increase. We should aim to approach the one-third principle alongside Sarawak,” she emphasized.
She also demanded that the additional seats provide greater opportunities for female leadership.
“Women are not just complements. Women are the true strength, making up nearly half of the country’s voters.
“Do not just give seats — give the opportunity to win, not merely ‘sacrificial’ seats,” she said.
