KOTA KINANALU: Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban has warned the Federal Government coalition not to appeal the case.
“If the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) proceeds to file an appeal against Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement claim, it could trigger a strong backlash from Sabahans in the upcoming 16th General Election,” he said in a statement today.
As such, he urged the government to respect the court decision.
He said the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling reaffirmed Sabah’s entitlement to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the state, under Articles 112C and 112D of the Constitution.
Any attempt by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to appeal the ruling, he added, would be a betrayal of the government’s repeated promises to honour MA63.
Budget allocations are temporary and discretionary. The 40 per cent entitlement is a legal obligation. Sabah is not asking for charity it is asking for restitution,” he said.
Peter John urged Sabah MPs to suspend or withdraw their support for the federal government if Putrajaya proceeds with the appeal.
No leader should continue backing a government that fights in court to deny their people’s rights. True federalism is built on respect, not subservience,” he said.
He stressed that Sabah’s and Sarawak’s struggle is not an act of rebellion but an effort to restore equality within the federation.
At the same time, Peter John Jaban also criticised Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim for describing Sabah leaders’ quit threat over the 40% revenue issue as “political ransom”, calling the remark insulting and dismissive of Sabah’s constitutional rights.
Sabah’s leaders are not holding anyone hostage. They are standing up for a right clearly guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” Peter John said.
“To call that political ransom is to mock both justice and federal integrity.”
*Labeling this as ‘political ransom’ only deepens distrust between Borneo and the peninsula. Justice for Sabah and Sarawak is justice for Malaysia,” he concluded.*
