By Daniel John Jambun, President Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) takes note of the recent statement by Joseph Pairin Kitingan that the Sabah Cabinet did not discuss the agreement relating to the State’s 5% petroleum royalty before it was executed and that he attended only as a witness.
If accurate, this disclosure raises important questions regarding the historical process by which one of the most consequential arrangements affecting Sabah’s natural resources was concluded.
BoPiMaFo does not seek to prejudge the legal validity of any past agreement. However, we firmly believe that decisions involving the ownership, management and benefits of Sabah’s natural resources must be made transparently, accountably and with proper institutional participation.
TRANSPARENCY IS ESSENTIAL TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Sabah’s petroleum resources belong to the people of Sabah and constitute one of the State’s most valuable strategic assets.
Any agreement affecting those resources should be subject to rigorous scrutiny and proper governmental processes. Historical accounts suggesting otherwise only reinforce the need for greater public disclosure and objective examination of the circumstances surrounding such agreements.
The people of Sabah deserve clarity, not speculation.
THE 5% ROYALTY ISSUE SHOULD NOT DISTRACT FROM SABAH’S CONSTITUTIONAL ENTITLEMENTS
At the same time, BoPiMaFo emphasises that the debate over the 5% petroleum royalty should not overshadow Sabah’s broader constitutional rights, including its entitlement to a review and payment of the 40% net revenue special grant under the Federal Constitution.
These are distinct legal and constitutional matters. One should not be used to diminish or delay the other.
Sabah’s constitutional safeguards must be respected in accordance with the rule of law and the spirit in which Malaysia was formed.
TIME FOR AN HONEST NATIONAL CONVERSATION
More than six decades after the formation of Malaysia, Sabahans continue to seek answers on issues relating to fiscal autonomy, resource management and the faithful implementation of constitutional commitments.
A mature federation should not fear historical scrutiny. On the contrary, openness and accountability strengthen public trust and national unity.
BoPiMaFo therefore calls upon all relevant authorities to facilitate access to historical records where appropriate, encourage informed public discussion, and ensure that future decisions affecting Sabah’s resources are undertaken with full transparency and respect for constitutional governance.
LOOKING FORWARD
The objective should not be to reopen old wounds but to build a stronger and fairer federation based on honesty, justice and mutual respect.
Sabah’s future prosperity depends on ensuring that its constitutional rights, financial arrangements and natural resources are administered in a manner that commands the confidence of its people and reflects the principles of good governance.
