Kota Kinabalu: The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) has welcomed the Federal Government’s allocations to Sabah but stressed that such assistance should not be confused with the state’s constitutional right to 40 percent of net federal revenue derived from Sabah.
Its Deputy President Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin, said while the party appreciates the various forms of aid channelled through the national budget, special grants and development loans, these cannot replace what is guaranteed under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution.
“The 40pc entitlement is not a matter of discretion or goodwill. It is a constitutional right of Sabah that has been enshrined since the formation of Malaysia,” he said in a statement responding to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s special address in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
Donald said what Sabah wants from the Federal Government is not merely temporary payments or conditional promises, but formal recognition and full implementation of the constitutional provision.
"Until this right is recognised and implemented in full, our struggle will continue,” he said.
He described the issue as a collective fight for the people of Sabah, not for any political party or individual.
He urged the Federal Government to demonstrate political sincerity by officially recognising and enforcing Sabah’s 40pc revenue entitlement as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
“Only through such action can the true spirit of Malaysia be upheld, one founded on justice and equality,” Donald said.
