PRESS STATEMENT: Stop Diluting Sabah’s Rights — Focus on Delivery, Not Deflection
KOTA KINABALU, 16 April 2026 — Warisan Supreme Council Member Chen Ket Chuin has cautioned that recent remarks by Papar MP Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, suggesting Sabah should emulate Sarawak’s approach in seeking additional federal allocations, risk sending an inaccurate signal at a time when Sabah’s unresolved constitutional issues remain at the forefront.
Chen stressed that Sabah is not merely requesting additional funding from Putrajaya, but is asserting constitutionally guaranteed rights.
He cited the Federal Constitution, including Articles 112C, 112D, and the Tenth Schedule, as the legal basis for Sabah’s 40 per cent net revenue entitlement, which he described as clear and non-negotiable.
“This is not assistance, not goodwill, and not something subject to federal discretion. It is a constitutional obligation,” he said.
He warned that framing Sabah’s position as a pursuit of additional allocations risks weakening its legal standing by reducing a constitutional entitlement into a discretionary policy matter.
Such framing, he added, blurs the distinction between legal rights and government discretion, undermining the state’s constitutional claim.
Chen further noted that while both Sabah and Sarawak engage in discussions under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), their constitutional fiscal arrangements are fundamentally different.
He highlighted that Sabah’s position includes the 40 per cent revenue entitlement as well as unresolved issues involving review mechanisms and outstanding payments for past years.
“Sabah should not dilute its constitutional case by presenting it as a request for additional discretionary allocations,” he said.
On comparisons with Sarawak, Chen said the key lesson is not imitation but political discipline and clarity of position.
He stated that Sarawak’s progress stems from consistency and negotiating from a position of strength, rather than reliance on federal goodwill.
Chen also said the timing of the remarks was concerning, given Sabah’s ongoing demand for its constitutional revenue rights.
“This is not the time to shift the narrative towards discretionary allocations. It is the time to uphold constitutional rights,” he said.
He further reminded that as Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali should remain focused on addressing rising living costs affecting Malaysians.
“Citizens are facing increasing prices, fuel pressure, and global supply uncertainties. The priority must be delivery, not misplaced comparisons,” he said.
Chen concluded by emphasising the need for leadership that defends Sabah’s constitutional position with clarity and resolve, while delivering tangible solutions to the people.
“Sabah does not need leaders who confuse rights with assistance, or normalize reliance on federal discretion,” he said.
“What Sabah needs is leadership that defends its constitutional rights with clarity and dignity, while ensuring real solutions for the people.”
“The people of Sabah are not asking for charity. They are demanding justice.”
“And justice begins with leaders who are willing to defend constitutional rights, not reduce them into another request to Putrajaya,” Chen concluded.
CHEN KET CHUIN @ KC
Warisan Supreme Council
16 April 2026
