Hajiji chairing the GRS Presidential Council meeting at Seri Gaya today.
KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Presidential Council has reiterated that Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is a constitutional right which must be fully honoured by the Federal Government.
In a statement issued after the GRS Presidential Council meeting at Seri Gaya here today, the coalition said it had taken note of the grounds of judgment delivered by the court on the High Court’s Oct 17 decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional right to the 40 per cent special grant from 1974 to 2021.
“This is not merely a legal matter — it is a question of constitutional honour. Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution, together with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), form the very basis of Sabah’s agreement for the formation of Malaysia,” said the Council.
The Council said the judgment simply gave effect to what had always been written and agreed, adding that it urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Federal Government not to appeal the decision.
“The Court has not imposed any financial quantum penalty — only directed that the long-overdue constitutional review be carried out in accordance with Articles 112C and 112D. To appeal would be to oppose the process of negotiation itself, not the outcome,” it said.
Following the High Court ruling, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has directed the Sabah Finance Ministry, the Sabah Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the State Attorney-General’s Chambers to study the grounds of judgment in detail.
“The State is ready and prepared for a meaningful engagement with the Federal Government in strict compliance with the court’s orders to hold a review and finalise an agreement for what is due and owing.”
The Council highlighted that for far too long, ordinary Sabahans — from Pitas to Pensiangan — have endured hardships caused by decades of inequity and delayed entitlements.
“When the lights go out in a child’s classroom, when a mother walks hours to reach a hospital, when our youth leave because they see no future here — those are not statistics. They are the real consequences of decades of inequity,” it said.
Despite this, the Council assured Prime Minister Anwar of Sabah’s continued respect and cooperation under Hajiji’s leadership.
“Sabah will always maintain a constructive and respectful working relationship with Putrajaya. We stand firm in our unequivocal support for the Prime Minister. As Malaysians, we take pride in his distinguished leadership, which has elevated our nation’s standing on the global stage,” said the Council.
It also noted that through Anwar’s inclusive and open approach, the GRS government had successfully secured 13 of the 29 MA63 claims from the Federal Government.
Reaffirming GRS’ “absolute and uncompromising pursuit” of Sabah’s constitutional entitlements, the statement said the coalition would continue to act on behalf of over three million Sabahans to ensure that all benefits under the Federal Constitution and MA63 are fulfilled.
“This victory is not just about numbers on a balance sheet. It is about restoring faith in justice to every Sabahan who has been told to wait — year after year — for basic necessities that others in Malaysia have enjoyed for decades,” it stated.
“It is about ensuring that no village remains in darkness, no school without proper facilities, and no community left behind simply because the funds that rightfully belong to Sabah never arrived.”
The Council stressed that Sabah’s claim is not a demand but a right — a constitutional duty that transcends governments and political terms.
“Upholding it demonstrates that Malaysia is governed by law and good faith, not convenience,” the statement said.
The GRS Presidential Council called on the Federal Government to seize this opportunity to heal the decades of neglect felt by Sabahans.
“Let this be the moment the Federal Government not only keeps its promises but begins to heal the decades of neglect felt by the people of Sabah. The Prime Minister will be remembered by all Sabahans and Malaysians as a leader who cares,” it said.
