Kota Kinabalu: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud clarified that there has been no appeal over the Sabah’s 40pc revenue claim, confirming that negotiations are still ongoing.
He said he held discussions earlier with State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and both agreed to co-chair a joint committee involving the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the State Government to review past discussions and chart a clear path forward.
“This committee will review previous discussions and provide briefings to facilitate important decisions, which will later be brought to both the State and Federal governments, including the Cabinet,” he said during a working visit to PPU (main Distribution Branch) Gudon, Monday.
He stressed that the ongoing court process will proceed independently, but it will not halt negotiations. The dual-track approach allows legal proceedings to continue while discussions advance in parallel.
Mustapha highlighted the complexity and sensitivity of the matter, stating that the 40pc revenue entitlement issue is not new and dates back to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, which stems from historical agreements and has been the subject of continuous negotiations for decades.
He noted that the current federal administration has shown greater openness in addressing the issue, with a stated commitment from the Prime Minister to work towards implementing the 40pc entitlement.
“I urge the public to allow time for negotiations to reach a mutually agreed solution. While differing views continue to be expressed, I see the present environment as a rare window for constructive dialogue between the Federal and State governments,” he said.
