DESPITE a change in administration, Putrajaya continues to deny Sabah it rightful revenue entitlement as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, said former Sabah assemblyman James Ligunjang, who joined a chorus of other state leaders in condemning what they claim are delay tactics by the federal government.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said earlier this week that Putrajaya could only consider giving back Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement when the federal government’s financial position improved.

James said Putrajaya has already denied Sabah its 40% entitlement for the last 55 years.

“The 40% entitlement on Sabah revenue was one of the most important terms agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 to enable Sabah to get its parity in terms of development with the Federation of Malaya.

“The slow progress of Sabah’s development in the last 55 years can be attributed fully to the short-changing by the federal government of this provision in the Federal Constitution,” he said.

The last time the federal government made a similar move was in 1974, when a review of the terms were due.

It told the state government at the time that “the federation is not in the financial position for there to be a review”.

The terms of the review comes under Article 112D, which provides for a government-to-government negotiation for the purpose of agreeing on how much Sabah is entitled to under the Special Grant, as stipulated in Part IV of the Tenth Schedule – which is 40% revenue entitlement. – October 28, 2018.