Kota Kinabalu: The disbursement of the interim special grant to Sabah will remain at RM1.5 billion every year pending a final settlement. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud said the unchanged annual grant’s value would provide long-term stability to the state government’s annual budget planning.
“Once all the procedures are finalised, the RM1.5 billion interim grant will transition into a guaranteed annual disbursement to Sabah, and the value is legally fixed until any future constitutional review is introduced.
“This will boost Sabah’s yearly budgetary planning to take the next step forward.” he told reporters after launching the DUN Inanam-level Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang flag convoy at the Dewan Masyarakat Manggatal on Saturday.
Mustapha who is the Technical Committee Chairman of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council said there would be a meeting between the technical committee and state government officials today (Aug. 3) to finalise the grant.
“The Technical Committee will sit together with State Government officials next week and once both sides come to a mutual agreement, the grant will be tabled for the next Parliament session before it is gazetted with the consent of the Agong,” he said.
The grant, originally announced by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saw a significant increase from the previous RM600 million, which was disbursed earlier this year.
He also added that the increment signals a concrete commitment by the Madani administration to address Sabah’s historical constitutional revenue rights in accordance with the MA63.
Meanwhile, Mustapha urged the public, especially the younger generations to involve themselves in the programs organised by local Madani Community around Sabah to bolster public awareness ahead of the nation’s 69th National Day this month.
He said that the program is structured with the main goal to hype up the unique triple celebration of consecutive regional and national events namely National Day, Sabah State Day and Malaysia Day.
“At the same time, we also emphasise remembering the roles of past figures who were heavily involved in the process of independence and the formation of Malaysia, with efforts being directed toward the younger generations,” he said.
Mustapha called on local residents, neighbourhood and local business operators to participate actively by displaying both the national Jalur Gemilang and the Sabah state flag across households and corporate premises to generate community solidarity to celebrate the country’s independence day.
