SABAH'S 40 PCT REVENUE ENTITLEMENT TALKS NOW AT SENIOR OFFICIAL LEVEL - CM HAJIJI

KOTA BELUD, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The first meeting on Sabah’s claim to 40 per cent of federal net revenue generated in the state is still underway at the senior official level, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.

He said the technical discussions between state and federal officials aim to determine the most workable mechanism to implement the revenue entitlement.

“Yes, they are in discussions. I haven’t received the full briefing yet, but the State Secretary informed me that a meeting was held with the Federal Government on the mechanism to resolve the 40 per cent issue.

“For now, the talks are at the official level, with the State Secretary representing Sabah, while the Federal side is led by the Treasury Secretary-General.

“We still have time. Once the meeting concludes, the state and federal governments will decide on the next steps,” Hajiji told reporters during a campaign tour in Usukan and Tempasuk ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election on Nov 29.

About Sabah’s specific proposals in the negotiations, Hajiji said the details could not be disclosed as the discussions were still technical in nature.

“This is quite a technical matter. I can’t reveal the specifics yet. They may need several rounds of talks before reaching an agreement,” he said, expressing confidence that the negotiations would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

On Oct 17, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the Federal Government had acted unlawfully and beyond its constitutional powers by failing to honour Sabah’s entitlement to 40 per cent of federal net revenue for nearly four decades.

The court ordered a review within 90 days and directed both governments to reach a mutual agreement within 180 days from the date of the order regarding Sabah’s special grant entitlement for the period 1974 to 2021.

-- BERNAMA