RM600 MLN GRANT TO SABAH SHOULDN’T BE POLITICISED, SAYS ANWAR 

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all parties not to politicise the RM600 million Federal Special Grant allocated to Sabah.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that since the formation of Malaysia, the grant amount for Sabah had remained at around RM26 million before being increased to RM300 million under the MADANI government, and further raised to RM600 million for 2025.

“Our responsibility is to uplift the status, dignity, economy and social well-being of all states.

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“In determining the broader framework, the approval of projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan and the National Budget has been taken into account,” he said at the National Integrity Premier Address and National-Level Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption Awards (AIGA 2025) here today.

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian Integrity Institute (IIM) chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud and Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.

Anwar said the Federal Government has taken note of the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s decision on Oct 17 regarding the review of the Federal Special Grant for Sabah.

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“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.

Meanwhile, Anwar said matters relating to allocations for Sabah must be clarified so that they do not become tools for political manipulation by irresponsible individuals.

“When we talk about governance and integrity, it must be viewed in totality. Otherwise, we become victims of narrow-minded politics.

“That is why, in Parliament, I stated that some of those opposing this were themselves former ministers, including former prime ministers and former ministers for Federal Territories, Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Earlier in Parliament today, Anwar said the MADANI Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing Sabah’s prosperity by doubling the federal Special Grant for the state to RM600 million, the highest amount recorded to date.

Anwar said the full payment was made on Sept 10, following an agreement between the Federal and Sabah governments after a review conducted under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.

-- BERNAMA