Mustapha to seek clarification on federal move over Sabah's 40pct revenue rights

 By Olivia Miwil

March 6, 2026 @ 1:27pm

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Mustapha Sakmud said he would seek clarification over the federal government’s move involving Sabah’s rights. BERNAMA PIC

KOTA KINABALU: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Mustapha Sakmud said he would seek clarification over the federal government's move involving Sabah's rights.

Mustapha said he was surprised to learn about a notice of motion seeking a stay of the implementation of the Kota Kinabalu High Court order concerning Sabah's claim for the 40 per cent special grant of revenue.

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"I was also quite surprised by this notice of motion and I do not yet have detailed information about it.

"I will obtain the information first and perhaps raise it at the cabinet meeting later to find out exactly what happened. Since I do not have the details, I cannot comment," he told reporters after delivering his mandate at the Sabah Federal Administrative Complex here.

Wilfred Madius Tangau, the Tuaran member of parliament, had shared updates on his Facebook page regarding the stay motion filed on March 3.

Mustapha, who is also the Sepanggar member of parliament, said the development was unexpected as discussions on the matter had recently taken place during a technical committee meeting involving all parties.

"During that time, our policy position remained that the federal government would fulfil the 40pct entitlement. That position had not been appealed, but this is a court matter."

Mustapha said the technical committee had convened three meetings and formed a subcommittee to review relevant data on the issue.

He said he was awaiting reports from the Attorney General's Chambers and the Ministry of Finance Malaysia on the latest legal move.

"I do not want to jump to conclusions because this involves a legal process.

"What is important is that we first find out the reasons behind it," he said.

Mustapha also urged all parties to remain calm and avoid speculation until the full facts were known.

"In matters where there are differing views, we must hold on to two things — first, we must rely on facts, and second, we must seek the truth," he said.

He added that discussions between the Sabah state government and the Finance Ministry were also examining relevant revenue data, including information from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

"We are still waiting for the report from the Finance Ministry. A working committee has been established to scrutinise the data," he said.