Court sets Nov 12 for Sabah's 40pct revenue appeal decision

KOTA KINABALU: The Court of Appeal has scheduled its ruling on the federal government's appeal regarding Sabah's 40 percent revenue entitlement for November 12. The three-judge panel, consisting of Datuk Azhahari Kamal Ramli, Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid, and Datuk Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh, granted additional time to review the arguments presented.

The appeal focuses on specific aspects of the Kota Kinabalu High Court's judgment, such as the abuse of power and breach of constitutional duties by both federal and Sabah governments. However, the federal government is not contesting Sabah's 40 percent revenue formula or its right to a review under the Federal Constitution. The High Court had previously ordered the federal government to conduct a review of the state's 40 percent entitlement for the financial years 1974 to 2021, known as the "lost years," within 90 days, with a subsequent agreement required within 180 days.

Despite the federal government's request for a stay, the Court of Appeal granted it on April 6. The case was argued by federal counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly and Nurhafizza Azizan, alongside representatives from the Sabah Law Society, Sabah Attorney-General's Chambers, and state counsel.