Kota Kinabalu: Tambunan Assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan urged the Sabah Government to take a firm and formal stance on the Territorial Waters Act 2012 and the Continental Shelf Act.
“Just saying 'We do not accept it' without any formal action carries no legal weight,” he said.
Jeffrey said he understood that following the revocation of the Emergency Declaration in 2011, laws enacted under it became void and constitutional supremacy was restored.
“The Federal Government subsequently passed the Territorial Waters Act 2012. Sabah cannot just keep issuing its verbal rejection. A formal resolution must be moved in the assembly to reject the Act.
“A 1954 order, the North Borneo Extension of Boundaries Order in Council 1954, extended Sabah's boundaries to cover the entire continental shelf, far beyond three or 12 nautical miles from the coastline and this cannot be altered unilaterally,” he said.
He said the non-governmental organisation, Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (Sabar), had filed a legal challenge against the Territorial Waters Act, the Continental Shelf Act and the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 74), which also touches on land rights and sub-surface resources.
“I want to know whether the Sabah Government has appointed expert legal counsel, including King’s Counsel from England, to advise Sabar on the case and on Sabah's rights over Continental Shelf waters.
“I also want to know whether the government will share that legal opinion with SABAR and whether, if the opinion supports Sabah's position, the government would stand alongside Sabar in the case and formally move to reject the relevant Acts,” he said.
He said Sabar is currently crowdfunding to finance the cost of engaging foreign legal experts and he wants to know whether the Sabah Government would contribute to that fund.
On Sarawak's petition filed on Feb 23, 2026, to the Federal Court on oil and gas rights, Jeffrey asked whether Sabah intends to intervene in the case in support of Sarawak, given that a ruling in Sarawak's favour would also benefit Sabah.
He said that during a joint MA63 council meeting, he had declared on Sabah's behalf that oil and gas rights and continental shelf issues are non-negotiable and Sabah's absolute right.
“I want to know whether the current Sabah Government maintains that same position,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the conflict in the Middle East has had an impact on Sabah's economy, particularly on food supply chains and inflation.
He asked what steps the Sabah Government is taking to control price increases, especially for necessities and food and to ensure that supply chains are not disrupted.
He noted that rising global oil prices, from around USD60 per barrel to as high as USD105 per barrel, have resulted in Sabah receiving an additional RM1.82 billion from its five per cent cash payment and five per cent tax entitlement on oil revenue.
He also spoke about the forecasted Super Mega El Nino expected to hit Sabah and Malaysia, possibly as early as July or August this year, and called on the Sabah Government to begin preparations immediately.
"Preparations must start now, because this is not far away," he said, asking what plans the government has in place to deal with the phenomenon that will affect the land, water, rivers, temperatures and public health across Sabah.
On his constituency, he proposed the construction of a bypass road and flyover in Pekan Keningau to address the worsening traffic congestion.
Additionally, he said that Sook, formerly a sub-district, has been upgraded to a full district, resulting in Keningau becoming smaller in area.
He asked the Sabah Government what plans it has to upgrade the administrative office and bridges in Sook to match the facilities available in other full districts in Sabah.
He also asked whether the government is considering relocating the administrative office to a more accessible location, suggesting Tulid for better convenience.
