KUCHING, Nov 28 2025: As Sabahans head to the polls tomorrow, Sarawak’s social activist Voon Shiak Ni urged them to evaluate not just the promises made by the federal government leaders over the 40 per cent revenue entitlement, but also the presence or absence of meaningful steps to give those promises life.“What Sabahans require now is not another pledge but a structural guarantee that the promise will be translated into action,”
Voon Shiak Ni: What Sabahans require now is not another pledge but a structural guarantee that the promise will be translated into action
She said a government that is sincere will not fear transparency, accountability, or independent scrutiny.
“Anything less risks confirming the suspicion that this is yet another election-season assurance that may quietly dissipate when the ballots are counted,” Voon said in a statement.
She expressed her deep concern, shared by many Sabahans, regarding the long-standing and unresolved issue of the state’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement as provided for by the Federal Constitution.
She noted that a recent Kota Kinabalu High Court’s ruling has reaffirmed that the right to 40 per cent entitlement is not a request, a favour, or a negotiation item, but a constitutional entitlement belonging to the people of Sabah.
“The court has also set out the need for a clear review of what is owed and established timelines for both the state and federal governments to comply.
“This judicial clarity should have brought an end to decades of ambiguity. Instead, it now places an urgent responsibility on the federal government to honour the constitution both in letter and spirit,” she said.
Voon noted that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent statement that Putrajaya will “immediately” honour Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is welcomed.
“Yet, we cannot ignore history. We have heard similar commitments before. Time and again, these promises fade once election season ends,” she said.
She recalled that even past national leaders have openly stated that election manifestos should not be taken seriously.
“Against such a backdrop, verbal assurances—no matter how strong—cannot stand on their own.
“What Sabahans require now is not another pledge but a structural guarantee that the promise will be translated into action,” she added.
She said the court’s ruling has highlighted several contentious matters that must be addressed with full transparency.
“One fundamental issue involves the definition of “net revenue” attributable to Sabah,” she said, adding that for decades, both Sabah and federal governments have disagreed on which taxes, duties, and federal receipts should rightfully be included in the calculation.
“Without public disclosure of these categories and the formula used, the 40 per cent figure risks becoming symbolic rather than enforceable.
“Additionally, the judgment touches on the “lost years”, decades where Sabah did not receive what many believe it was entitled to.
“Whether these historical shortfalls will be acknowledged or compensated is a matter that cannot be brushed aside, particularly when constitutional rights were affected for so long.
“Another source of anxiety stems from the government’s response that the Attorney-General’s Chambers will “study” the judgment and the necessary steps moving forward.
“While this is a routine procedural response, Sabahans have seen how administrative reviews and further studies can easily turn into protracted delays.
“The fear, perhaps justified by experience, is that the implementation may once again be postponed until it loses political urgency after the election.
“In light of these concerns, it is essential that the federal government demonstrates genuine intent by taking immediate, visible steps that go beyond public assurances,” she said.
She observed that around the world, when governments are serious about implementing complex national commitments, they establish specialised task forces or committees with clear mandates, transparent terms of reference, independent experts, and strict timelines.
“Examples include the United Kingdom’s Vaccine Taskforce and the United States’ national Covid-19 response teams, both of which turned political pledges into practical action because they operated with accountability and expert oversight.
“If the federal government intends to honour MA63 in the same sincere manner, a similar structured mechanism must be formed—one that is publicly announced, independently monitored, and insulated from political changes.
“Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is not something that should be negotiated behind closed doors, delayed through procedural manoeuvres, or reduced to a political slogan. It is a constitutional right,” Voon said.
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