PENAMPANG: Warisan Wira Penampang chief, Melvin Lo, has urged the state government to obtain an official written commitment from the Prime Minister regarding the interim payment of RM3.019 billion to Sabah, which should be paid annually starting from 2026 until the full resolution of Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement is finalized.
According to him, Sabah cannot continue to be forced to wait without certainty while the state’s constitutional rights have been delayed for far too long.
He said the people of Sabah deserve clear guarantees rather than mere assurances that the matter is “still under negotiation.”
He added that the state government should also stop relying on terms such as “positive negotiations” or “good relations with Putrajaya” without delivering tangible results to the people.
He further stated that if the government is truly serious about defending Sabah’s rights, then the annual interim payment must be guaranteed immediately as part of Sabah’s constitutional entitlement and not treated as a political goodwill gesture that can change according to circumstances.
At the same time, Melvin questioned whether the current state government only appears more courageous in demanding Sabah’s rights after coming under pressure from the opposition and from previous motions related to the 40% claim.
According to him, before the issue gained widespread public attention, the state government appeared overly cautious and unwilling to speak firmly on Sabah’s rights.
He said that for a long time, the people have heard more diplomatic statements rather than truly strong demands directed at the Federal Government.
He added that the public has also observed how the state government has recently been preoccupied with defending itself against various controversies, including corruption scandal videos allegedly linked to their leadership.
He questioned whether such circumstances have caused the state government to lose the courage to confront Putrajaya firmly on Sabah’s rights issue.
According to him, it was only after facing relentless pressure and having their weaknesses openly questioned that the government began attempting to portray itself as a “hero” in championing Sabah’s rights.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the people of Sabah are wise enough to distinguish between a struggle that has been consistent from the beginning and panic-driven actions taken when political positions become threatened.
According to Melvin, Sabah’s rights are not a seasonal issue and should not be used as a tool to cover up the political weaknesses of any party.
He stressed that Sabah’s rights must be fought for consistently, courageously, and without bowing to political pressure from the federal government.
Melvin Lo
Wira Warisan Penampang
