PBS Pushes Bipartisan Panel on Sabah’s 40% Revenue Rights

23 May 2026

KIULU: A Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) leader has reiterated the party’s proposal to establish a bipartisan committee under the Sabah State Legislative Assembly to focus on matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly Sabah’s long-standing 40 per cent revenue entitlement.

PBS Information Chief and Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the committee should include representatives from both the government and opposition, as well as political parties without representation in the State Assembly.

“This is important to ensure that discussions on Sabah’s rights reflect a broader range of views and are not limited solely to elected representatives."

“The 40 per cent issue affects all Sabahans, so it is only fair that diverse voices and ideas are heard, regardless of political affiliation,” he said at the launch of the Kaamatan and Moginakan Celebration in Kampung Sinulihan here on Saturday (23 May).

Joniston, who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Information Chief, said that while the GRS-led State Government is already actively pursuing Sabah’s claims under MA63, including the 40 per cent revenue entitlement, a bipartisan committee could help consolidate ideas and practical input from all sides to support these efforts.

“This is not about who gets the credit. What matters is how we move forward together for Sabah."

“We may hold different political views, but on Sabah’s rights, we should strive to find common ground. This is bigger than politics,” he said.

Joniston noted that similar proposals have been raised by other political parties in the past, adding that a bipartisan approach could help prevent the issue from becoming a recurring political talking point during election periods.

He added that PBS has consistently championed issues related to MA63 and the 40 per cent entitlement since the party’s formation in 1985.

“There was a time when PBS was criticised for being too vocal on these matters, and we were even labelled as parochial and anti-federal. However, today many recognise that safeguarding Sabah’s rights is a shared concern."

“From experience, we have learned that progress comes through mutual respect, stable cooperation and sincere, solution-focused discussions,” he said.

On another matter, Joniston said that the surveying of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in Kiulu remains a priority for the State Government.

He disclosed that the Land and Survey Department has approved 312 applications from villagers in Sinulihan for the surveying of 2,087 acres of NCR land, involving 635 lots.