KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that the federal government is committed to fulfilling Sabah’s request for 40 per cent revenue entitlement “as soon as possible.”
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the matter would be discussed in Parliament and the Cabinet soon, and the issue is not a mere political slogan as claimed by several quarters.
“I have mentioned in the Cabinet and announced in Parliament that the federal government will respect the commitment (sic), and implement the 40 per cent very soon,” he said on the campaign trail in Tuaran, Sabah, today.
Also present was caretaker Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, who is Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman.
Anwar slammed politicians who only “make noise” about Sabah’s revenue claim issue without understanding the process and the agreements involved before a decision is made.
“This is not RM20 million. This goes into billions, and we have to scrutinise the agreements involved and make sure the numbers are right.
“If the state (involved) is on good terms with us (Putrajaya), then we can discuss cordially and settle the issue. The chief minister’s (Hajiji) role is important,” said Anwar.
Last month, the Kota Kinabalu High Court upheld Sabah’s 40% right to federal revenue earned in the state, as provided for in the Federal Constitution.
The court also ruled that the government’s post-2021 review of the state’s rights was illegal, irrational, unprocedural and disproportionate.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers announced that Putrajaya would not appeal the decision and would resume negotiations with the state government as soon as possible, which began on November 17, involving top officials from both parties.
The appeal only involved a few errors in the reasoning of the Kota Kinabalu High Court judge. – November 27, 2025