KOTA KINABALU, May 3 — Kapayan assemblyman Chin Tek Ming has openly challenged Chief Minister Hajiji Noor to take a definitive position on Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent revenue entitlement, following remarks by the Federal Government suggesting that increased payments depend on economic conditions.
In a strongly worded statement today, Chin criticised Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister Mustapha Sakmud for stating that increased grants to Sabah “should not be an issue if the economy allows it,” describing the position as “fundamentally flawed in law.”
“Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is not a grant. It is not subject to economic conditions. It is a constitutional obligation,” he said.
Chin argued that the Minister’s statement reflects a shift from treating the 40 per cent entitlement as a legal right to viewing it as a discretionary payment.
“A constitutional right cannot depend on whether Putrajaya can afford it. If that logic is accepted, then no constitutional protection is safe,” he added.
Chin said the latest federal stance places direct responsibility on Hajiji to clarify whether the State Government supports a conditional approach or will firmly defend Sabah’s constitutional rights.
“Silence at this stage is not neutrality. Silence is endorsement,” he said, urging the Chief Minister to state his position openly.
The Warisan assemblyman also linked the issue to the recent Sabah State Assembly sitting held from April 27 to 30, where his Private Member’s Motion on the 40 per cent entitlement was not debated.
The motion had called for:
* computation of Sabah’s entitlement for 2022 to 2025,
* full disclosure to the State Assembly, and
* a clear enforcement timeline.
Chin questioned whether the motion was sidelined to avoid forcing the State Government into a position that might conflict with the Federal Government.
“This is not merely procedural. This raises the question of whether there was a deliberate decision to avoid accountability,” he said.
Chin further warned that the narrative surrounding Sabah’s entitlement appears to be shifting from delay to what he described as “dilution.”
“For years, Sabahans were told negotiations take time. Now we are told payment depends on economic conditions. This is not delay anymore — this is dilution,” he said.
He cautioned that accepting such a position would effectively reduce Sabah’s constitutional rights into a negotiable arrangement.
Chin stressed that the State Government must assert Sabah’s rights firmly rather than accommodate federal hesitation.
“The role of the Chief Minister is not to accommodate federal reluctance, but to defend Sabah’s constitutional position without compromise,” he said.
He concluded by calling on Hajiji to make a clear choice.
“Stand with Sabah and demand full constitutional compliance, or accept a conditional and diluted version of Sabah’s rights. There is no middle ground,” he said.
Issued by Chin Tek Ming
ADUN N.25 Kapayan
4/5/2026
