KUALA LUMPUR – An appeal against the court ruling affirming Sabah's right to 40% of the federal revenue could destabilise national unity, said activist Datuk James Ligunjang.
He emphasised that any attempt to reverse or limit Sabah’s rightful share of revenue could have serious repercussions, not only for Sabah but for the political stability of Malaysia as a whole.
Ligunjang expressed concern that if the Federal Attorney General proceeds with appealing the High Court's ruling, which reaffirmed Sabah's right to 40% of the federal revenue generated within the state, it could have serious repercussions.
"This landmark ruling, issued by the High Court, was achieved through the concerted efforts of the Sabah Law Society in collaboration with the State Government. It affirms Sabah’s entitlement to a fair share of the revenue derived from its resources, a principle of vital importance and deep significance to the people of Sabah," Ligunjang said in a statement.
The decision, delivered by the Kota Kinabalu High Court last Friday, was hailed as a significant victory for Sabah, with Ligunjang stressing that any attempt to reverse or weaken this decision could have a profound impact on both Sabah’s political landscape and Malaysia’s unity.
"Any attempt to overturn or weaken this decision may not only affect Malayan political parties operating in Sabah but could also endanger the unity of the Malaysian federation. The stakes are especially high for Malayan parties contesting in Sabah’s upcoming state elections," Ligunjang added.
He noted that since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Sabahans have demonstrated a strong sense of sovereignty and a firm commitment to safeguarding their rights and resources. As such, federal moves to revoke or restrict Sabah’s rightful revenue share could be viewed as a violation of the Federal Constitution, fueling widespread feelings of injustice and betrayal among the people of Sabah.
"Such actions could deepen distrust and resentment toward the federal government and Malayan political parties vying for support in Sabah. Many Sabahans may perceive these actions as attempts to diminish their autonomy and control over their resources, thereby undermining the principles of federalism enshrined in the constitution," he added.
The situation could also affect voting patterns, with Ligunjang suggesting that voters may turn away from Malayan parties and rally behind local leaders who champion Sabah’s sovereignty and resource rights.
Ligunjang also commended the firm stance of the Sabah government, led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, for consistently defending the state's constitutional rights.
"The GRS-led State Government of Sabah has consistently advocated for and defended Sabah’s rights under the constitution. They have made it clear that if no resolution is reached with Putrajaya, the state government will invoke Article 112D(6) of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution to formally demand its rightful share of the revenue," he said.
He further emphasised that any attempt to appeal the decision could undermine the current goodwill between the state and federal governments, potentially destabilising relations.
"For decades, Sabahans have endured injustice, often being denied their rightful entitlements. Denying justice today, through delays or efforts to overturn this ruling, is effectively denying justice altogether," Ligunjang concluded.
He ended his statement with a rallying cry for Sabahans to unite in the fight for their rights: "Rumah kita, kita jaga. A united fight for the people of Sabah."
The High Court ruling followed a judicial review filed by the Sabah Law Society (SLS) in 2022, claiming the federal government had violated the Constitution by failing to conduct a required five-year review of revenue since 1974. The ruling confirmed that the federal government had acted unlawfully by not remitting Sabah’s 40% share of federal revenue for nearly five decades. – October 20, 2025
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