KOTA KINABALU: Twelve Pakatan Harapan MPs and assemblymen have filed a claim in the High Court to seek Sabah rights to its entitlement for the return of 40% federal revenue from the state.

       Among others, they are seeking a declaration that Sabah is entitled to the 40% revenue derived by the Federal Government from the state annually to be “respected and delivered” as stated in the Constitution.

       Their lawyer Datuk Nelson Angang said they were seeking a declaration under Article 112C and Section 2(1) of Part IV of the Tenth Schedule of Constitution.

       In the originating summons filed yesterday against the government of Malaysia and government of Sabah, they also sought for the Federal Government to disclose the amount of net revenue it derives from Sabah annually.

       He said they were also seeking a declaration that any review under Article 112D of the Constitution must be based on an amount that reflects and equals the value of the amount due to the state.

       Angang, who is Upko secretary-general and leading a team of lawyers to represent the MPs and assemblymen, said they also wanted a declaration that the special annual grant of RM26.7mil for the period of 1969 to 1973, should not remain enforceable but must be based on the 40% revenue to be given back to the state.

       The elected representatives are also challenging the 2022 review for RM120mil annual special grant payment agreed by the federal and state governments.

       They are seeking to nullify the agreement.

       The filing came following the comments by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz that Sabah’s 40% entitlement was no longer applicable.

       The opposition lawmakers said the minister’s statements in Parliament were a clear breach of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).