Kota Kinabalu: Putatan MP Datuk Ir. Dr Shahelmey Yahya urged the Federal Government to expedite negotiations with Sabah to finalise the state’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement as recently affirmed by the Kota Kinabalu High Court.
He said while the current special grant remains an interim arrangement, the state government hopes that both the Federal and Sabah governments will continue discussions and reach a final decision in accordance with the Federal Constitution and the High Court ruling.
“I thank the Madani Government for its concern in reviewing the amount of special grants to Sabah since 2023. Although the amount is still interim, I hope the Federal Government will continue negotiations with the Sabah Government and finalise the 40 per cent entitlement as provided under the Constitution and recently decided by the Kota Kinabalu High Court,” he said when debating the Budget 2026 Bill in Parliament, Wednesday.
Shahelmey, who previously served as State Works Minister, said the Sabah government under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) had placed strong emphasis on improving basic infrastructure — including roads, electricity and clean water supply — particularly in rural areas.
He said these facilities formed the backbone of community wellbeing and economic growth, adding that allocations were being disbursed in phases under the state’s ongoing development plans.
“The government was monitoring project implementation closely to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary delays,” he said.
He noted that coordination between the state and federal governments was crucial to ensure the continuity of ongoing and delayed projects, especially those affected by tender issues or limited allocations.
Shahelmey said the government had remained committed to addressing infrastructure gaps to narrow the divide between urban and rural areas, while ensuring that development benefits reached all levels of society.
“The state government continued working closely with federal agencies to ensure that priority projects — particularly those concerning water supply, electricity and road connectivity — were completed according to plan,” he said.
He reiterated that the GRS administration had remained focused on building a more inclusive and sustainable development framework that empowered communities and strengthened Sabah’s economic foundation.
