Ex-Sabah chief ministers, leaders attend 40pc revenue appeal hearing

KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief ministers Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Yong Teck Lee were among those present at the Court of Appeal hearing of the federal government's appeal over Sabah's 40 per cent revenue entitlement today.

Representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), activists and members of the public were also present, with some arriving as early as 7am.

Also seen were former deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sungai Manila assemblyman Datuk Hazem Mubarak Musa and nominated assemblyman Datuk Razali Razi, along with several other state assemblymen.

The hearing is expected to begin after the Court of Appeal hears several criminal cases.

Members of the public can also follow the proceedings via the court's audiovisual system in the conference hall at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex, which can accommodate up to 250 people.

The federal government's appeal challenges alleged errors in the Kota Kinabalu High Court's grounds of judgment, including its finding that both the federal and Sabah governments had abused their powers and breached their constitutional duties.

However, the federal government previously clarified that it was not appealing against Sabah's entitlement to a special grant based on the 40 per cent revenue formula.

On Oct 17 last year, the High Court, among other orders, issued a mandamus directing the federal government to conduct a review with the Sabah government on the state's 40 per cent revenue entitlement for the financial years 1974 to 2021 within 90 days, and reach an agreement within 180 days of the order.

Judge Datuk Celestina Stuel Galid issued the order after allowing the Sabah Law Society's application for a judicial review.

The federal government then applied for a stay of the order pending the outcome of its appeal. The Court of Appeal in Putrajaya granted the application on April 6.