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Hajiji: Sabah won't give up its rights over 40 pct net revenue special grant

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government today reiterated its stand that it would not give up the state's rights in relation to the 40 per cent net revenue special grant accorded to it.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the right was negotiated prior to the formation of Malaysia and is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

"It is the financial entitlement of the State. This stand is very much more than an aspiration.

"The state government of Sabah categorically confirms that it will never give up the fundamental constitutional rights of the State of Sabah in relation to the 40 percent net revenue special grant under Article 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution.

"If there is no agreement or solution between the State and the Federal Governments on the special grant, we will move to activate the constitutional provision to appoint an independent assessor to determine this issue and decide what the Federal Government is obligated to pay to Sabah.

"I assure the rakyat of Sabah that we will not stop in our relentless pursuit of all the State rights due under Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution. This is our uncompromising and absolute position," he said in a statement.

Hajiji said the Sabah government also respected the right of the Sabah Law Society to commence legal proceedings on the matter.

"The State Government sees the initiative by the SLS in a positive light that is not partisan and not political in the common furtherance of the constitutional arrangements when Sabah formed Malaysia in 1963.

"I do not want to prejudge the outcome of the Court of Appeal but I share the same sentiment as the rakyat of Sabah and hope that any decision will be favourable to the State.

"I have already instructed the State Attorney General to scrutinise and review the ongoing legal proceedings and if necessary, to correct any misguided statement that differs from the State's clear and formal position."

The Court of Appeal yesterday reserved its ruling on an appeal against a decision to allow a judicial review of the state's entitlement to 40 per cent of revenue.

The court fixed May 24 for case management and would decide later on when to deliver its decision.

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