KOTA KINABALU: In a press statement following the first 2025 meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) in Kuching, Sarawak, recently, Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (PKAN) President Datuk Henrynus Amin has challenged Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, who represented Sabah, to provide a public update on the outcomes of their meeting.
PKAN specifically demands transparency regarding the long-unfulfilled 40% of federal revenue collected in Sabah.
”We want to know if Sabah has received a new date from the Prime Minister for the payment of the 40% of federal revenue,” said Datuk Henrynus, a vocal advocate of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 representing Parti Anak Negeri.
He pointed out that Dr Kitingan and Sabah PH Chief Datuk Ewon Benedick had previously promised a one-year period for the Prime Minister to fulfil the 40% payment, a period that expired in July 2024 with no announcement.
Datuk Henrynus also asked GRS and Sabah PH leaders to explain the Prime Minister’s remarks in July last year suggesting the 40% promise was unnecessary, noting the government had paid RM16 billion to Sabah in 2023.
He further questioned the Prime Minister’s public remarks at the Kaamatan festival last year, where he allegedly labelled political activists demanding the 40% right as “troublemakers”.
PKAN acknowledged the Prime Minister’s announcement of a special federal allocation of RM600 million for Sabah but argued this amount does not fulfil the constitutional requirements of the 40% right.
”Sarawak, which does not have the constitutional right to 40%, also received the same amount. Why is the amount the same for both?” Datuk Henrynus questioned.
Did Sabah just agree to the amount without questioning why Sarawak received the same amount?
Did a Sarawak Federal leader decide on the figure, and Sabah Federal leaders blindly agree to it?
PKAN accused Sabah’s GRS-PH coalition of sending inexperienced and politically naive leaders to represent the state in the Federal Cabinet, claiming they are easily misled and lack the commitment to fight for Sabah’s rights.
Datuk Henrynus highlighted what he called a pattern of concession, pointing to Datuk Ewon Benedick and other Pakatan Harapan leaders who allegedly withdrew their legal suits regarding the 40% after being given government positions.
He also accused Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, during his tenure as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, of being instrumental in having Sabah accept RM125.6 million as a substitute for the 40% right.
Meanwhile, Parti Anak Negeri challenged Dr Jeffrey Kitingan to leave the GRS-PH alliance or step down from GRS if he is truly committed to fighting for the rights of Sabahans, stating,
“Don’t hide behind your high position as Deputy Chief Minister.”
Datuk Henrynus also accused Dr Kitingan of attempting to divert public attention to new issues, such as adding parliamentary seats, while neglecting the unfulfilled 40% promise.
Parti Anak Negeri reiterated demands that Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) publicly recognise or acknowledge
Sabahans’ right to 40% of federal revenue, as enshrined in the Tenth Schedule and Articles 112C & D of the Federal Constitution.
The party insists that the special allocation for Sabah be determined and paid according to the constitutional formula, not at the whim of the Prime Minister.
PKAN highlighted that the special allocation amount has changed three times in three years—from RM125.6 million in 2022 to a promised RM300 million in 2023, and finally to RM600 million in 2024.
Datuk Henrynus demands that the Federal Government respect constitutional procedures in fulfilling the 40% state rights constitutional provisions.
The Federal Government should explicitly recognise the constitutional provisions and payment procedures based on Articles 112C & D, not according to the Prime Minister’s wishes. The party considers the payment of RM600 million without recognising the constitutional right to 40% as a serious breach of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Meanwhile, Parti Anak Negeri demanded a referendum of Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement and Federal Constitution.
“We propose that the upcoming 2025 Sabah state election should be a referendum on the 40% right that the Federal Government has denied.
”The failure of the State of Sabah in its demands regarding the rights in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 is due to Sabah being represented by young, inexperienced, and unknowledgeable leaders,” Datuk Henrynus stated.
He urged Sabahans to use their vote as a contribution to the struggle for the future of their children and grandchildren, warning that if the 40% right is lost, it will never return.
He also called on the people to consider new parties and leaders even if they have no money, noting that Parti Anak Negeri will have more than 20 candidates in the upcoming election.
Parti Anak Negeri stands in solidarity with the Sabah Law Association (SLA), which has taken the 40% demand to court, and is committed to bringing this issue to the grassroots level.
”Don’t vote for money or sweet promises,” he concluded. “Don’t sell your rights and dignity for a scoop of rice.”
