GRS govt failed the people in handling Sabah's 40% revenue rights issue, says Kiandee


KOTA KINABALU: The inconsistent stance of the Sabah government on the 40% revenue rights issue at the Court of Appeal has compromised the rights of the people, says Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.

The Bersatu vice-president said it was clear that the people of Sabah could no longer rely on the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led state government to fight for their rights in obtaining a 40% revenue share.

"The inconsistent and tangled stance of the government has compromised and harmed the people of Sabah regarding their rights," he said in a statement on Saturday (May 25).

Kiandee believed that the state government was backtracking its position after being stopped by political and public outcry following its bid to stop the Sabah Law Society (SLS) from seeking a judicial review.

"This is clear when the Sabah government had placed the burden of their mistakes on the appointed lawyer Tengku Datuk Fuad Ahmad," he said.

Kiandee, who is Sabah Bersatu chairman, made his statement after Sabah Attorney General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yacob terminated the legal services of Fuad from Messrs F.T. Ahmad and Co and retracted all submissions he made at the appeals court on Friday (May 24).

"It is very clear that whatever the lawyer argued in the previous proceedings is the Sabah government's argument and position unless the lawyer's statement is challenged by the Sabah Attorney General's team in the next court proceedings," he said.

Kiandee also noted that the appointed lawyer's arguments were consistent with the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's May 17 statement on the state government's strategy to negotiate with the Federal Government.

"This is contrary to their supposed stance of fighting for the rights of Sabah," he said.

Kiandee also said that the state government was seen to be negligent in assessing the Federal Government's stand on the issue of the 40% claim.

"Even though they admitted in the State Legislative Assembly that they have sent requests eight times to obtain Sabah tax collection data from the Federal Government, these requests have not been accepted by the Federal Government," he added.

On Friday (May 24), Sabah withdrew its bid to stop the November 2022 Kota Kinabalu High Court decision to grant SLS leave for judicial review on the revenue due to the state from the Federal Government under the Constitution.

The Federal Government had appealed against the leave granted to SLS. The Court of Appeal is scheduled to deliver its judgment on June 18.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Nation

Driver of overturned Army transporter tried to avoid trailer that suddenly changed lanes
FashionValet probe: Suspicious transactions detected, possible fraud being investigated, says MACC chief
Father, daughter stabbed to death in Air Itam, suspect turns knife on self
FashionValet probe: No seizures in raid at founder's second home, says source
IPGM Gold Award winner Asif aims to produce holistic students
GISB case: Home Ministry defends use of Sosma, says aligns with Penal Code
HR Ministry, Huawei to establish world-class, high-tech TVET institutions across Malaysia
MAF veterans retired before January 2013 eligible for 15% pension adjustment
Northeast monsoon: Air Force identifies landing points to deliver aid
Minister calls for stricter regulations on social media to combat inappropriate content

Others Also Read