PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cautioned all parties against politicising the RM600 million Federal Special Grant allocated to Sabah.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, noted that since Malaysia’s formation, the grant for Sabah had remained at approximately RM26 million before being increased to RM300 million under the MADANI government.
He announced the grant has now been raised to RM600 million for 2025.
“Our responsibility is to uplift the status, dignity, economy and social well-being of all states,“ he said at the National Integrity Premier Address and National-Level Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption Awards (AIGA 2025).
He stated that project approvals under the 13th Malaysia Plan and the National Budget have been considered in determining the broader framework.
Anwar said the Federal Government has taken note of the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s October 17 decision regarding the review of the Federal Special Grant for Sabah.
“While respecting the court’s decision, it is also necessary to make it clear that as a nation committed to integrity, we must honour and fulfil our promises, particularly in the spirit of the Federation,“ he said.
He emphasised that matters relating to allocations for Sabah must be clarified to prevent them from becoming tools for political manipulation by irresponsible individuals.
“When we talk about governance and integrity, it must be viewed in totality,“ he said.
“Otherwise, we become victims of narrow-minded politics.”
He revealed that in Parliament, he had stated that some opponents of this initiative were former ministers, including former prime ministers and former ministers for Federal Territories, Sabah and Sarawak.
Earlier in Parliament, Anwar confirmed the MADANI Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing Sabah’s prosperity by doubling the federal Special Grant to RM600 million.
He noted this represents the highest amount recorded to date.
The full payment was made on September 10 following an agreement between the Federal and Sabah governments after a review conducted under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. – Bernama
