High Court decision enable hearing on 40% lost years

17 October 2024

KOTA KINABALU: The decision by the Federal Court in dismissing the leave application to appeal by the Federal Attorney General (AG) will allow the High Court to proceed with hearing the Sabah Law Society (SLS) judicial review application regarding Sabah’s entitlement, particularly concerning what are referred to as the lost years.

This pertains to the period from 1973 to 2021 during which no review was conducted.

The decision should be respected and be seen as a positive development for public interest litigation concerning constitutional matters to be determine by the court.

Datuk Nelson W Angang , the Secretary General of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation ( UPKO) said this in response to the decision, by the Federal Court that unanimously rejected the Federal Attorney-General’s (AG) application to appeal against granting leave SLS to pursue its judicial review of Sabah’s 40% constitutional entitlement.

UPKO has always respected the rights of the SLS to pursue the matter through the legal process, he said adding, "we have always believe what is important is for Sabah 40% constitutional entitlements to be finally resolved by legitimate means whether through Parliament, the Cabinet or by the court of law.