PBS: Sabah Must Receive What Is Rightfully Ours

14 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government’s decision to oppose the Federal Government’s attempt to stay the High Court ruling on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement is a necessary step to safeguard the state’s interests, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Secretary-General Datuk Julita Majungki.

Julita said the move reflects the State Government’s commitment to defending Sabah’s constitutional rights concerning its share of federal revenue collected from the state.

“The issue of Sabah’s revenue entitlement has long been a matter of concern among the people of the state, and it is important that the process to resolve it proceeds in accordance with the law and constitutional provisions,” she said in a statement.

She added that respecting the court’s decision and allowing the consultation process to proceed would help pave the way towards a fair resolution that benefits the people of Sabah.

Julita also reiterated the party’s support for the State Government’s position on the matter.

“PBS fully supports the State Government’s move to oppose the stay application and to continue defending the state’s rightful entitlement through the proper legal and constitutional processes,” she said.

She added that the party views the issue as one that goes beyond legal arguments and reflects the broader aspirations of Sabahans.

“This is not merely a legal matter. It concerns Sabah’s ability to strengthen its fiscal capacity and ensure that development and public services can continue to improve for the benefit of the people.

“What Sabah is seeking is not extraordinary. It is simply the implementation of what rightfully belongs to the state under the constitutional arrangement,” she said.

Julita also expressed hope that constructive engagement between the Federal and State Governments would continue in order to reach a mutually acceptable outcome while safeguarding Sabah’s rights.

Sabah will oppose an application by the Federal Government to stay the High Court order issued on 17 October 2025 concerning the state’s entitlement to a 40 per cent share of net federal revenue collected from Sabah for the period from 1974 to 2021, commonly referred to as the “Lost Years”.

According to State Attorney-General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh, the High Court had directed the Federal and State Governments to undertake consultations to implement the 40 per cent special grant entitlement within a 180-day timeframe ending 15 April 2026.

He said the Sabah Government has been engaging with relevant federal authorities through meetings and technical discussions to facilitate the exchange of information and determine the quantum of the special grant, while maintaining that the state will oppose any attempt to stay the High Court order so that the court-mandated process can proceed.