Justice4Sabah: Some 300 rally in KK over Sabah’s 40 pct revenue claim
by Elton Gomes · Borneo Post OnlineKOTA KINABALU (April 10): Close to 300 people from all walks of life gathered at Padang Merdeka this evening to express support for the federal government to pay the 40 per cent revenue owed to Sabah.
The “Justice4Sabah” peaceful gathering, which began at 5pm, saw politicians, activists, associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) voicing their views on Sabah’s financial and constitutional rights, particularly the 40 per cent net revenue entitlement.
Among those present were STARSabah president and Keningau MP Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yassin, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Tuaran MP Datuk Madius Tangau, Moyog assemblyman Datuk Donald Mojuntin, and nominated assemblyman Datuk Roger Chin.
Chin, a Sabah rights activist, said there should be no more excuses in returning Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement, at least for payments from 2022 onwards.
“A constitutional right and a promise has to be fulfilled. A promise that lives only on paper is no promise at all.
“For far too long Sabah has been told to wait and to be patient but Sabahans have been waiting for over 50 years and we cannot wait anymore.
“Promises are not something to be waited for forever but to be delivered,” he said.
Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yassin urged Sabahans to stand firm in demanding their rights, while Moyog assemblyman Datuk Donald Mojuntin said the state should no longer be told to wait as its rights must be honoured immediately.
The peaceful gathering followed the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow a stay order on the Oct 17 Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling mandating a review of Sabah’s 40 per cent net revenue entitlement.
Most speakers expressed support for ongoing negotiations and called on the federal government to implement the court order to resolve outstanding payments from 1974 to 2021.