PKR’s Darrel Leiking told FMT that Putrajaya must fulfil its constitutional obligation to return the revenue, as stated in the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

This was one of the many conditions for Sabah agreeing to form the Federation of Malaysia, he said.

Funds allocated by the Federal Government to the Sabah Government, regardless of the amount, do not exempt Putrajaya from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to return revenue to the state.

In explaining Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% of its net revenue, PKR vice-president Darrel Leiking told FMT that Putrajaya must fulfil its obligation to return the revenue.

He said Sabah had been receiving RM26.7 million since 1969.

“That amount represented the 40% at that time, but it does not account for much now as it does not take into account the inflation since 1969.”

Leiking said Sabah’s leaders should not have to negotiate and make excuses for Putrajaya’s failure to adhere to its constitutional agreements.

“Any development funds from the Federal Government is a matter of policy and planning by the government of the day. It cannot be in lieu of, or an excuse, to avoid the return of revenue.”

Referring to a recent statement by Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Leiking said he should not detract from the main issue of the 40% net revenue.

In an interview with Malaysian Digest on Wednesday, Abdul Rahman said he fully supported the idea of returning the 40% revenue, while noting that Putrajaya had already spent 9-11% of its annual national budget on Sabah.

This was more than the 7% average for other states, he added.