A Warisan member has described Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement as a constitutional obligation, saying it is essential to the state’s economic autonomy and equal standing within Malaysia.
Mazzli Chua said on Tuesday the formation of Malaysia in 1963 was based on the principles of equality, equal partnership and respect for self-determination, as set out under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1541.
She said these principles were subsequently reflected in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and guaranteed under Article 112C and the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
Mazzli said the 40% entitlement to net federal revenue derived from Sabah should not be treated as an annual subsidy, grant or act of charity.
Instead, she described it as a binding constitutional obligation intended to provide Sabah with the financial foundation for greater economic autonomy and self-reliance.
She argued that denying, delaying or reducing the entitlement would undermine the principles underpinning Malaysia’s formation.
Mazzli said the absence of financial autonomy could leave Sabah dependent on federal allocations, affecting the state’s ability to deliver infrastructure, healthcare and education development.
She called on the federal government to honour MA63 and restore Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement, saying doing so would strengthen rather than weaken the federation.
She said fulfilling the obligation would demonstrate respect for the constitutional framework, the principles of UN Resolution 1541 and the commitments made when Malaysia was formed.
