SHAH ALAM, Jan 19 — States’ rights must be respected in line with the Federal Constitution, but national interest should always take precedence, decreed His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia.
The sovereign reminded all parties to return to the original spirit of the country’s formation through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), founded on unity, mutual respect, and close cooperation between the Federal and state governments.
While he did not elaborate, His Majesty’s remarks come following tension over demands for Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent of Federal revenue collected from the state.
“Elected representatives should be more careful so as not to incite tensions between regions. Any differences in views should be resolved maturely and not through hatred or suspicion.
“The fact is, the rights of the states should be respected. However, Malaysia’s collective national interest must be prioritised,” Sultan Ibrahim said in his royal address at the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament today.
On October 17 last year, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the Federal government had acted unlawfully by failing to pay Sabah its constitutional entitlement to 40 per cent of net federal revenue derived from the state under the Federal Constitution.
It ordered a review of the revenue share dating back to 1974, sparking renewed debate over Federal-state financial rights.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later said the Federal government respects the ruling and remains committed to Sabah’s constitutional entitlement, clarifying that any appeal would only concern the grounds of the judgment, not the 40 per cent right itself.
In his address, the King reiterated that lawmakers should rise above narrow political considerations when debating and voting in Parliament.
“Debates and votes in this honourable House should not merely reflect political party stances, but must be guided by what is best for the future of Malaysia.
"I hope Malaysia will continue to move forward, remain peaceful, and enjoy lasting prosperity, underpinned by unity among its people," said His Majesty.
