KOTA KINABALU: Cooperation is key in politics, says Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan.
“We have cooperated with various parties over the years, and this will continue,” he said, responding to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s recent statement that the ruling coalition may need to form an electoral pact with national parties to secure success in the upcoming elections.
While maintaining that national parties should not interfere in local politics, the GRS deputy chairman noted that it’s not his place to decide who can or cannot compete in the state election.
“People’s perceptions may differ. I can say anything, but ultimately, the decision on an electoral pact is up to them,” said Kitingan at a joint venture signing ceremony on Monday (Sept 23).
Previously, Kitingan, along with leaders from the Sabah Progressive Party and Parti Usno, suggested that GRS should contest the state election independently.
Hajiji, however, had earlier said that GRS is not ready to adopt an “all-local” party formula like Gabungan Parti Sarawak for the upcoming 17th state election.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining cooperation with national parties and strengthening the GRS coalition with Pakatan Plus.
The Sabah state election is expected to be held in September next year.
Meanwhile, Kitingan said the state government will not engage an independent assessor until the dispute over Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement is resolved.
When asked if options under Article 112D(6) of the Federal Constitution were being considered, he said, “At this stage, no. We are still working on resolving the issue, and until that happens, we will not engage an assessor.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce a special RM600mil grant for Sabah during the 2025 budget tabling in Parliament next month. This revised grant, under Article 112D, is double the amount Sabah received this year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The RM600mil grant will serve as a temporary measure while a permanent solution is sought regarding Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement, as outlined in Article 112C and Part IV of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
Instead of following the standard five-year review process to determine a new amount for the special grant, Sabah has opted for this interim arrangement.
Hajiji welcomed the increased grant but stressed that it remains a temporary measure pending a resolution of the 40% net revenue entitlement issue.
Sabah had requested data on the amount collected by Putrajaya from the state. After being denied access, the state government calculated its own figures to present to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation committee.
At the MA63 implementation meeting in Kota Kinabalu on September 12, no progress was made on the 40% revenue entitlement issue. The committee cited concerns of sub judice due to an ongoing court case.
In the meantime, the Sabah Law Society has filed a legal review regarding the 40% revenue entitlement in the High Court.
