Lawyer: Sabah Harapan reps' suit against Putrajaya to proceed, for now

The suit by 12 Sabah Pakatan Harapan lawmakers against the federal government and the state government over the entitlement to revenue derived from the state will proceed.

According to Nelson W Angang, the lawyer who lead the originating summons, the case will be mentioned at the end of this month at the Sabah and Sarawak High Courts. He could not, however, provide a specific date for the mentions.

"The case is still in court. As we all know, the federal government is still discussing an appropriate solution in the matter, so the plaintiff (Sabah Harapan) will not withdraw the case until a decision is made.

"We will see what the outcome is at the end of this month - whether the court decides to proceed or not. As of now, the plaintiffs want to proceed with the case," Nelson was quoted telling Utusan Malaysia when contacted.

Nelson was earlier asked about the status of the suit since Sabah Harapan lawmakers are now part of the state government and the federal government.

The 12 lawmakers, comprising MPs and state assemblypersons, had in June last year, filed a suit against the federal government and the state government over Sabah's 40 percent entitlement to revenue derived from the state.

Primarily, the lawmakers are seeking a declaration that Article 112C and section 2(1) of Part IV of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which stipulates that Sabah was entitled to an annual grant amounting to "two-fifths" of the net revenue derived by the Federation of Malaysia from the state, still apply and are enforceable.

The lawmakers are also seeking a declaration that Putrajaya's review of the grant amount under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution was unconstitutional, null and void, and of no effect.

Yesterday, Utusan quoted Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Armizan Mohd Ali saying that it was improper to discuss the allocation issue in the current Parliamentary session, as the matter is currently in court, and could be to sub judice to court proceedings.

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