KOTA KINABALU, 16 March 2026: Warisan Supreme Council Member Chen Ket
Chuin today urged the Federal Government to translate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s latest pledge on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement into concrete action, stressing that Sabahans are now expecting implementation — not another round of assurances.
Chen welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement reaffirming Putrajaya’s commitment to Sabah’s constitutional entitlement under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, but said the real test lies in whether the government will now move swiftly to honour the High Court’s ruling on the matter.
“If the Prime Minister truly stands by this commitment, then Sabahans expect one simple thing — action that matches those words,” he said.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the Federal Government recognises that the claim is final and not subject to appeal, but detailed discussions are necessary to ensure the matter can be resolved in the best way for the benefit of Sabah and its people.
He said this when speaking at the Madani 2026 Breaking-of-Fast Event for the Sabah state level at the Central Lecture Hall Complex 2, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), here on Sunday.
In a response issued today, Chen pointed out that the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak has already ruled that Sabah’s 40% entitlement is valid, and ordered the Federal Government to review, negotiate and resolve the matter within clear timelines.
“These were not suggestions. They were binding court orders,” he asserted.
He noted that despite the ruling, the Federal Government had proceeded with an appeal and a stay application — steps that inevitably raise concerns about possible delays in implementing the court’s decision.
“With respect, Sabahans are not naïve. An appeal — especially when accompanied by a stay application — risks delaying the very decision the government claims it accepts,” he said.
Chen also responded to concerns raised by the Prime Minister previously about the strong language used in the court’s judgment regarding decades of constitutional neglect.
“Courts exist to declare the law, not to protect political comfort. If constitutional obligations have been neglected for decades, the proper response is not to appeal the wording but to correct the breach and honour the Constitution,” he said.
He stressed that the issue before the country is now straightforward: whether the Federal Government will comply with the court’s order and begin meaningful negotiations on Sabah’s entitlement without further delay.
“Sabahans have heard promises for many years — promises that the matter would be studied, reviewed and discussed. Yet the constitutional right guaranteed to Sabah since the formation of Malaysia remains unfulfilled,” he said.
Chen said Sabah is not asking for special treatment, but for what is clearly provided for under the Federal Constitution.
“Sabah is not asking for charity. Sabah is asking for what the Constitution guarantees," he reiterated.
He also called on all Sabah Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen —regardless of party affiliation — to unite in defending the state’s constitutional rights.
“The 40% revenue entitlement is not a partisan demand. It is Sabah’s constitutional birthright.
“If the Federal Government truly recognises this right, then the next step is clear — honour the court’s order, proceed with negotiations, and ensure this long-standing constitutional obligation is finally fulfilled,” he said.
CHEN KET CHUIN @ KC
SUPREME COUNCIL OF PARTY WARISAN
16th March 2026
