Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) will not stop pursuing the 40 percent net revenue owed by the federal government to Sabah as specifically stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Schedule 10, Article 112 of the Federal Constitution.

Warisan treasurer-general Terrence Siambun said it was the absolute right of Sabah to pursue the matter, but would apply a different approach from that claimed by SAPP and its allies in Gabungan Sabah (GS).

“This 40 percent entitlement to Sabah had been agreed upon by all during the formative years of the Federation of Malaysia and was put into an agreement. Hence, there is no question on this issue,” he said in a statement today.

Siambun was commenting on a statement by SAPP president Yong Teck Lee recently “reminding” Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, who is also International Trade and Industry minister, of the 40 per cent net revenue.

He pointed out that SAPP failed to topple Sabah BN in the last three elections and therefore, it was illogical for Warisan to adopt the approach of a party (SAPP) whose leader could not even secure a position in the state assembly.

He said that as a founding partner of the Federation of Malaysia, Sabah should be practical in the matter like Sarawak’s approach and strategies in regaining the state’s rights while maintaining a good relationship with the federal government.

He also suggested Yong not to trouble himself by giving instructions and pointers to Darell, especially on issues related to MA63 and Sabah’s rights because those issues are close to his heart.

“Darell was appointed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to lead one of the most important ministries in Malaysia and we all know that Tun Dr Mahathir is prudent, highly disciplined and greatly respected as a statesman.

“So we can deduce that he (Mahathir) has seen leadership qualities in Darell that qualifies him as both federal minister and a Sabah leader,” he said.

-- Bernama