Kota Kinabalu: Sindumin Assemblyman Yusri Pungut
(pic) has questioned why Sabah’s 40 per cent constitutional entitlement continues to face delays despite repeated assurances from leaders across the political divide that the State’s rights should be implemented.
“If everyone agrees Sabah has this right, why does implementation keep hitting roadblocks?” he asked.
Yusri said Sabahans have heard years of promises and statements supporting the 40 per cent entitlement.
“Whenever the issue moves closer to implementation, new obstacles seem to appear,” he said.
“If the right is accepted, what exactly is standing in the way?”
He said Sabahans are entitled to ask why the High Court decision was appealed and why efforts to debate the matter in the State Legislative Assembly continue to face difficulties.
“The issue is no longer whether Sabah has the right. The Constitution is already clear,” he said.
“The real question is whether there is political will to act on it.”
Yusri also cautioned against conflating Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement with federal expenditure or government allocations, saying they are separate matters that should not be treated as the same issue.
“Justice for Sabah will not be measured by speeches or promises. Sabahans will measure it by action,” he said.
