KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA November 22. 2025 – Pakatan Harapan (HARAPAN) candidate for the Tanjung Aru state seat, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, has welcomed the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof on the formation of a special committee to discuss the implementation mechanism for Sabah’s Special Grant amounting to 40 per cent of net tax revenue as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In a media statement issued today, Chan Foong Hin said the special committee will be co-chaired by Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, and will report directly to the MA63 Implementation Council Technical Committee (JKTMPMA63), which is chaired by Fadillah himself.
He described the move as “the right direction” following the Federal Government’s official affirmation of Sabah’s rights to the 40 per cent revenue through the Notice of Appeal filed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers at the Kota Kinabalu High Court on 14 November 2025.
The court document clearly states that the Federal Government is not appealing against the 40 per cent formula provided under the Federal Constitution or the requirement for review under Article 112D.
“This positive development opens the door to open and transparent dialogue and discussions once the new Sabah state government is formed,” said Chan Foong Hin.
He further emphasised that a stable and close cooperative relationship between the Federal Government and the Sabah State Government will bring direct benefits to the people through:
– Faster approval and implementation of projects
– Stronger fiscal planning
– More effective delivery of services and resources to the community
“This collaborative approach lays a stronger foundation for improving the standard of living and economic sustainability of the people of Sabah. When both administrations work together based on the spirit of MA63, we can build a future that is more equitable, full of opportunities, and prioritises the well-being of every Sabahan,” he stressed.
The statement is seen as yet another effort by the HARAPAN candidate to highlight Sabah rights and MA63 issues as the core platform of their campaign ahead of the approaching Sabah State Election.
