KOTA KINABALU (31 May): Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Supreme Council Member and Vice Youth Chief, lawyer Yong Yit Jee said Sabahans are entitled to ask a simple question: how many more assurances must they hear before Sabah finally gets closure on its 40% constitutional entitlement?
He said from 2022 until today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Federal Government have repeatedly assured Sabahans that MA63 commitments would be honoured and Sabah’s 40% entitlement delivered.
“The elephant in the room is not whether assurances have been given. They have been given repeatedly. The real question is why, after all these assurances, Sabah is still waiting for final constitutional closure.”
Yong said it is crystal clear and undisputed that Sabah’s entitlement to 40% of net revenue derived from Sabah exists under the Federal Constitution, and that both the rakyat and the law rightfully require adherence to that constitutional formula.
He pointed out that Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun had publicly stated on 28 April 2026 that Inland Revenue Board (IRB) collections derived from Sabah for 2025 amounted to RM7.547 billion, translating into an estimated Sabah entitlement of RM3.019 billion.
“The High Court made clear that Sabah’s entitlement remains due and payable, and that constitutional compliance requires a proper review and determination of quantum in accordance with the formula prescribed by the Federal Constitution.
Interim administrative payments cannot be presented as a substitute for constitutional compliance.
If Sabah can publicly estimate the figure, why can’t the Federal Government fully disclose the revenue derived from Sabah and the basis upon which the RM1.5 billion interim figure was determined?
Sabahans are entitled to know whether this payment forms part of a properly concluded constitutional review, or whether it remains an interim arrangement falling short of the constitutional framework affirmed by the High Court.”
He said Sabahans are entitled not merely to reassurance, but to accountability, constitutional finality and closure.
“Sabahans have heard enough about process. What Sabahans now deserve is constitutional finality, and closure.”
Yong Yit Jee
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)
Supreme Council Member and Vice Youth Chief