By Daniel John Jambun President , Change Advocate Movement Sabah (CAMOS)
KOTA KINABALU — The statement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim claiming that Sabah has not been neglected because it received a “record” RM17.6 billion allocation under the 2025 Budget is not only misleading but also an insult to the intelligence of the people of Sabah.
Let us be clear: allocations from the Federal Budget are not charity.
They are not a gift from Putrajaya.
They are Sabah’s rightful share of revenue — money that originates from Sabah’s own natural resources, taxes, and contributions to the national economy.
1. The RM17.6 Billion Myth
When the Prime Minister boasts about a “record” allocation, he deliberately hides the truth that most of the RM17.6 billion is development expenditure that Sabah has no control over.
Every ringgit is still decided, approved, and spent under federal ministries based in Putrajaya.
Sabah’s leaders and people have no power to determine priorities or implementation, and most of the funds go to federal agencies — not Sabah’s treasury.
In short, it is money spent in Sabah, but not by Sabah.
2. MA63 Revenue Entitlement Is a Constitutional Right, Not a Favour
Anwar speaks about “realigning revenue-sharing mechanisms with the Constitution and MA63.”
But the Federal Government is still appealing the Court’s decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% of net federal revenue collected from the state.
How can the same Prime Minister claim to honour MA63 when his government is fighting in court to deny Sabah what the Constitution guarantees?
This is hypocrisy at its finest — talking about MA63 in speeches while undermining it in legal action.
3. Federal Control Over Sabah’s Sectors Remains
Anwar also boasted about “handing over” electricity regulation to Sabah in 2024.
Let us remind him — that “handover” came 61 years late and even then, funding and approvals remain tied to federal agencies.
If Putrajaya truly respected Sabah’s autonomy, the handover of power, oil, gas, and financial control would follow — not token transfers that leave the same colonial-style control intact.
4. Political Manipulation Disguised as Development
The Prime Minister’s statement that “the federal government has choices and priorities” exposes the real problem:
Sabah’s rights are treated as a matter of political convenience, not a matter of constitutional duty.
When Sabah’s development depends on “federal priorities,” it means we are still treated as a colony of Malaya — not an equal partner in Malaysia.
5. Sabah’s Reality on the Ground
While Anwar boasts in Parliament, rural Sabahans continue to live with:
No clean water in many kampungs;
Power blackouts across districts;
Broken rural roads;
Schools and clinics in poor condition.
Billions in “allocations” have come and gone, yet ordinary Sabahans see no change.
What has grown is not progress — but the gap between Putrajaya’s words and the people’s reality.
6. What Sabah Deserves
Sabah doesn’t want handouts.
Sabah demands control over its own revenue, resources, and development planning.
If the Federal Government truly respects the Malaysia Agreement 1963, it must:
1. Withdraw its appeal against the 40% revenue entitlement case;
2. Transfer fiscal and resource authority to Sabah and Sarawak immediately;
3. Reopen the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) to restructure Malaysia into a real equal partnership, not a unitary federation under Malaya.
7. Conclusion
Anwar’s speech is nothing more than federal gaslighting — a political show to make Sabahans grateful for crumbs taken from their own table.
Sabah does not need more promises or token projects; Sabah needs power over its own destiny.
The people of Sabah will no longer be deceived.
We see through the numbers, and we know the truth:
The Federation has failed us, and no amount of budget sweet talk can cover that.
It’s time for Sabah to stand with Warisan and all local parties that reject Malayan dominance.
Together, we will demand not allocations — but authority, autonomy, and a real partnership in Malaysia.
