KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will consider all legal avenues available constitutionally to pursue the 40% backdated revenue owed by the Federal Government if no feasible agreement is reached, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

       Masidi, who is among the lead negotiators in the matter, said however that negotiations were still ongoing.

       “First and foremost, it has been announced in the state assembly and all other subsequent statements, we have not even concluded the negotiations.

       "So the issue of us taking it (legal action) or not, doesn't arise,” he said.

       Masidi said this when responding to reporters’ questions with regards to the issue during the state Hari Raya programme here, Saturday (May 7).

       This also comes following minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili’s suggestion that Sabah may state its claim over the non-implementation of the 40% revenue entitlement and the alleged sum owed to the state.

       Masidi said this issue should not arise yet as the team involved in negotiations with the federal government on this matter were still pursuing it.

       “In fact, as I have stated in the state assembly, both parties agree to disagree on the interpretation of the 40%, and will continue to negotiate on it,” he said.

       “What we are also saying is that meanwhile, don't leave us with zero. That's why we have agreed to take an interim RM125mil per year for now,” he said.

       Masidi said this amount would change after they have reached another agreement on the 40%.

       “We will consider all legal avenues available to us. In the Constitution itself, it provides a provision allowing us to hire independent assessors and that's one of the options that can be looked into if negotiations fail after some reasonable time,” he added.