GRS-PH COOPERATION KEY TO STRENGTHENING SABAH-FEDERAL CONSENSUS - ARMIZAN

PAPAR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The cooperation between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 17th Sabah state election is important to strengthen the consensus between the existing state and federal governments in addressing issues involving both parties.

GRS deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said that through this cooperation, matters related to Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the state’s claim for 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from Sabah, and the Special Grant rate can continue to be discussed and negotiated amicably.

“We take the approach that we must work together because, ultimately, our demands and struggles involve matters under federal jurisdiction, which require consensus between the state and federal governments.

“We have representatives in the federal government, so I am optimistic based on the (current) federal leadership,” he said at a press conference held in conjunction with the launch of the Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) election machinery for the Limbahau state constituency here today.

Armizan, who is also the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, said he has seen the openness and commitment of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in fulfilling the MA63 demands, including increasing the Special Grant rate for Sabah to RM600 million.

He said during the Parti Warisan (Warisan) state government’s administration, the rate was raised from RM26.7 million to RM53.4 million.

“This amount is still very small compared to the 45 years without any review, and it is far from the 40 per cent rate,” he said.

Armizan said issues related to MA63 will be among GRS’ key manifesto points in the state polls. 

In this regard, the Papar MP said the GRS election machinery must provide clear explanations to prevent opposition parties such as Warisan from manipulating issues related to the 40 per cent revenue claim and MA63, even though they failed to pursue these rights when in power.

During the tabling of Budget 2026, the Prime Minister announced that starting in 2026, the Special Grant rate for Sabah and Sarawak would be increased to RM600 million, compared to RM300 million in 2023.

Anwar said the Madani Government is committed to ensuring rapid development in Sabah and Sarawak as part of efforts to uphold the spirit of MA63.

-- BERNAMA