Jeffrey Calls for Full Restoration of Sabah’s Rights

28 September 2025

KOTA KINABALU: STAR Sabah president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G Kitingan has issued a strong call for the restoration of Sabah’s constitutional rights, accusing Putrajaya of overreach through federal laws that strip the state of its autonomy and rightful revenues.

In a statement, Jeffrey welcomed the Governor of Sarawak’s recent remarks on the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and Environmental Quality Act 1974, stressing that Sabah faces similar and even broader encroachments under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“For Sabah, the issue goes beyond oil and the environment. Federal laws have continuously eroded our powers and weakened our economic standing,” he said.

Among the laws he cited were:

The Territorial Sea Act 2012, which reduced Sabah’s maritime boundary to three nautical miles, stripping control over offshore resources.

The Fisheries Act 1985, which centralised marine licensing under Putrajaya. Jeffrey dismissed recent “devolution” of licensing powers as meaningless, insisting that Sabah needs full legislative and revenue authority over its seas.

The Electricity Supply Act 1990, which transferred Sabah’s control over its power supply to federal agencies.

“These incursions have left Sabah poorer, weaker and more dependent – a betrayal of MA63,” he said.

Jeffrey urged for an immediate joint Sabah–Sarawak review of all federal laws violating the constitutional division of powers.

Restoration of Sabah’s full revenue entitlements, including the 40% net revenue share due.

Binding parliamentary safeguards to prevent further federal encroachment.

He added that a comprehensive legal and constitutional study must be conducted to expose the extent of federal intrusions.

“Our rights are not a favour from Putrajaya. They are obligations already signed, already promised and long overdue,” Jeffrey declared.

“As a son of Sabah, I will not merely echo. I insist that our rights be enforced, our sovereignty respected and our future secured.”