By Ell Yuntala, Youth Head, Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS)
KOTA KINABALU: The Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS) Youth Wing today condemned the statement by former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who described the recent High Court ruling on Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement as an act that would cause “Malaya to go bust.”
Zaid had written on his Facebook page that he “always believed the story that Malaya was robbed by the British government in broad daylight by MA63,” adding that “the decision on the 40% revenue sharing with Sabah is one such example” — a statement that betrays a deeply ingrained Malayan-centric mindset.
“Zaid Ibrahim’s remarks reflect the very colonial attitude that has kept Sabah and Sarawak poor for six decades — the belief that Malaya owns everything, and Borneo must be grateful for leftovers,” said Ell Yuntala, Youth Head of CAMOS.
Ell said the 40% entitlement is not a favour nor a subsidy, but a constitutional guarantee under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution — negotiated and agreed upon before Malaysia’s formation in 1963.
“This is not about robbing Malaya — it’s about returning to Sabah what was agreed and legally owed. The High Court’s decision merely upholds the law that Kuala Lumpur has ignored for 50 years,” she said.
Ell added that Zaid’s remarks confirm why Sabah and Sarawak can no longer rely on Malayan-based parties — whether from the government or opposition — to defend Borneo’s rights.
“Malayan parties, by their very nature, are bound to defend Malayan interests. This is why Sabah and Sarawak must unite under a Borneo Bloc — to speak with one voice and protect our destiny from those who view our rights as a threat,” Ell said.
He also praised the Sabah Law Society’s victory in court, calling it a landmark reaffirmation of federal justice.
“Sabah has been robbed for 60 years, not Malaya. The 40% is not charity — it’s restitution. Justice has finally spoken, and those who still call it unfair are simply admitting their fear of equality,” she added.
CAMOS urged all Sabah leaders, especially in Parti Warisan, to reject these Malayan narratives and lead the Bornean awakening for equality, dignity, and self-determination within Malaysia.
“The real threat to the Federation is not Sabah’s demand for fairness, but Malaya’s refusal to respect the agreement that created Malaysia in the first place,” Ell concluded.
