Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said a special Cabinet meeting would be held tomorrow, Bernama reported.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), a key party in the government, and several other quarters had urged Putrajaya against appealing the decision and to instead hold constructive engagements on the matter.

The GRS presidential council said it was ready to hold meaningful talks with Putrajaya in compliance with the court’s orders to review and finalise a new agreement on the 40% federal revenue share.

It said the Kota Kinabalu High Court had not imposed a financial quantum penalty on the federal government but only directed that the long-overdue constitutional review be carried out.

The issue led to Upko president Ewon Benedick quitting as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, due to the stance by the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the 40% federal revenue share.

Anwar said a reshuffle was not on the agenda for tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.

Nevertheless, a reshuffle appears likely given Ewon’s resignation and the end of investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz’s senatorship on Dec 2.

The Cabinet also has two vacant posts due to the resignations of economy minister Rafizi Ramli and natural resources and environment sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad on May 28.

Their duties are being handled by finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan and plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani, respectively.

Anwar reiterates commitment to growing Sabah

Separately, Anwar said the federal government had remained focused and consistent on developing Sabah and bolstering its economy.

He said this commitment was displayed in the various projects and developments, both ongoing and on the horizon, with the cooperation of the GRS-led state government.

“We are not perfect but will always listen to the voice of the people and understand their concerns. We will work hard to improve on any weakness to ensure a better future for all,” he said in a Facebook post.