KOTA KINABALU, Oct 17 — The Sabah Law Society (SLS) has urged the federal government not to appeal the High Court’s landmark decision affirming Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent of federal revenue collected from the state, calling the ruling “justice at last” after decades of neglect.

In a judgment today, the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak ruled that the 40 per cent special grant owed to Sabah under the Federal Constitution is a mandatory constitutional right, not a privilege subject to negotiation. 

Justice Datuk Celestina Stuel Galid ordered the Federal and Sabah governments to conduct a fresh review within 90 days and reach a settlement on the amount owed within 180 days.

The court also formally recognised that arrears are owed to Sabah for the period from 1974 to 2021.

In response, SLS immediate past president Datuk Roger Chin warned that any attempt to appeal the ruling would “betray sincerity,” especially after successive governments have pledged to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“The SLS will vigorously resist any attempt to appeal or undermine this decision. It is hoped that now that the Court has spoken and decided, the federal government will respect the judicial process, accept the outcome, and abide by it,” he said.

Chin described the judgment as a victory not just for Sabah but for the entire federation, proving that Malaysia honours its founding promises and that true unity is built on respect, not neglect.

 Malay Mail – Malaysia