Help fund suit over continental shelf rights, MP urges Sabah reps

2026-03-20 - 13:10

Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau said the legal action aims to reclaim Sabah’s ownership rights over the seabed, continental shelf and the natural resources within them. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA: Former Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau has urged elected representatives in Sabah to help fund a legal challenge over Sabah’s continental shelf rights. He said the local NGO, Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (Sabar), requires RM500,000 by April 30 for its legal challenge at the Federal Court. Madius, who is Tuaran MP, said a total of RM555,000 could be raised if all elected representatives and appointed assemblymen contributed RM5,000 each. Sabah has a total of 111 representatives, comprising 25 MPs, 73 assemblymen, seven senators and six appointed assemblymen. “This amount will not only exceed the target but also serve as strong proof of our solidarity in defending the state’s interests,” he said, praising the initiative shown by two MPs, Verdon Bahanda (Kudat) and Jonathan Yasin (Ranau), who had each contributed RM5,000. Sabar’s suit disputes the validity of the Territorial Sea Act 2012, which limits the state’s maritime boundary to just three nautical miles. The Malaysian government is named as the sole defendant. Sabar’s lawyer, Roland Cheng, said the legal action aims to reclaim Sabah’s ownership rights over the seabed, continental shelf and the natural resources within them. He said a substantial sum is needed to engage a legal expert, as the federal government has also engaged a legal expert to argue that Sabah is not entitled to claim its continental shelf.