GRS promises to create a Sabah sovereign wealth fund using state reserves and 40% revenue entitlement for future generations if voters return them to power
KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition will establish a Sabah Sovereign Wealth Fund next year if it receives a fresh mandate in the upcoming state election.
GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the initiative, named the Investment Fund for Sabah Children’s Future, represents a long-term strategy to create stable revenue sources beyond taxes and volatile commodities.
He stated the fund will function as a strategic investment instrument reserved for future state development purposes after accumulating over time.
“We will take a small portion of the state reserves as the initial capital for the Sabah Sovereign Wealth Fund, and the annual additional capital will come from the 40% revenue entitlement,” Armizan said during the GRS manifesto launch at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
He explained that part of the annual 40% entitlement and special grant would be channeled into the sovereign wealth fund.
Armizan detailed that the fund’s governance would combine state government representatives with finance, investment and legal professionals to develop sustainable investment strategies.
“We want those experts to advise the state government on managing the Sabah Sovereign Wealth Fund to evaluate what constitutes a strategic investment,” he added.
GRS believes the fund’s establishment will lead Sabah toward more stable income and reduced federal government dependence, particularly for basic infrastructure needs.
“We want our future generations who govern this state not just to see their income rise, but also to benefit from the returns invested by today’s generation of leaders,” Armizan said.
He confirmed the fund represents a key component of the GRS manifesto and will be incorporated into the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 Roadmap covering 2026 to 2030.
Polling for the 17th Sabah State Election is scheduled for November 29 with early voting on November 25. – Bernama
