Kota Kinabalu: Warisan President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has called for the immediate implementation of Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, stressing that the matter has already been decided by the courts.
“The court has already decided on the 40 per cent. It must be paid,” he said.
Shafie said there was no justification for further delays, adding that the issue now lies in execution rather than negotiation.
“There is no need for further negotiations. Just implement it,” he said during his debate in the State Legislative Assembly, Monday.
However, he acknowledged that financial constraints could be a factor and suggested a more practical approach, if needed.
“Maybe if the Federal Government cannot afford to pay, they can stagger the payment,” he said.
Shafie said the issue reflects broader concerns over implementation, noting that while 17 out of 21 matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 had been agreed upon, progress remained slow.
He said the focus should no longer be on negotiations, but on ensuring that what has already been agreed is carried out.
He stressed that transparency and accountability are crucial in ensuring that Sabah’s rights and development are properly managed.
“We may differ politically, but we must be united in one voice to fight for the rights of Sabahans,” he said.
Shafie also raised concerns over border matters involving Sebatik, calling for transparency in ongoing discussions with Indonesia.
He referred to claims involving more than 100 hectares and questioned whether the matter had been officially confirmed.
“We are not rejecting anything, we just want to know whether it is true or not,” he said.
Shafie also pointed out that as Sabah opposition chief, he was not involved in the discussions, raising concerns over the lack of clarity surrounding the issue.
He stressed that any matter involving state boundaries must comply with the Federal Constitution.
“There can be no change to any boundary without the approval of the State Legislative Assembly and Conference of Rulers,” he said.
He also questioned whether negotiations with Indonesia had been finalised or were still ongoing, demanding clarity and transparency.
“If negotiations are still ongoing, that is not a problem. But if there are already dates being mentioned for announcements, that is a concern,” he said.
Shafie warned that any failure to follow proper constitutional procedures could have serious implications.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup had previously said reports of land being ceded to Indonesia were inaccurate, describing the boundary adjustment in Sebatik as a technical realignment based on historical agreements.
He said the adjustment involved about 123 hectares, while Malaysia gained approximately five hectares on the island, adding that the outcome was not a loss of territory but a correction of earlier discrepancies following longstanding discussions between Malaysia and Indonesia.
