Kota Kinabalu: The 40 per cent revenue entitlement for Sabah is a constitutional right and not a form of goodwill or grant, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (pic) said.
He said the Federal Government has never disputed Sabah’s entitlement, stressing that the matter must be understood based on facts and the framework of the Federal Constitution.
Mustapha said efforts to implement matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including the 40 per cent revenue claim, are ongoing through various official platforms.
He said 13 out of 29 MA63 matters have been resolved to date, while negotiations on the 40 per cent entitlement continue through a special grant committee involving both Federal and Sabah governments.
He added that the discussions cover finalising the calculation formula, verifying revenue data, addressing outstanding payment periods and implementing a phased payment mechanism, with interim payments serving as a temporary measure pending a final agreement.
