Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, including its 40 per cent Special Grant entitlement, have never been used as a bargaining chip or made conditional on political support for the Federal Government.
Ahmad Farid Sainuri, Press Secretary to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak), said an earlier statement by Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud had been taken out of context, creating the impression that Sabah’s constitutional rights were linked to support for the Madani Government.
He said Mustapha had intended to highlight the Government’s commitment to addressing Sabah’s needs, including through an increase in interim Special Grant payments to RM1.5 billion annually.
“Under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the amount increased from RM300 million in 2023 to RM600 million in 2024 and now RM1.5 billion annually,” he said in a statement, Tuesday.
Ahmad Farid said the increase reflected cooperation between the Sabah and Federal governments in seeking solutions to issues involving the State’s rights and the interests of its people.
“Highlighting the administration’s record does not in any way mean that Sabah’s rights are conditional on political support.
“Sabah’s rights remain as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, including matters relating to Sabah’s 40 per cent Special Grant,” he said.
Ahmad Farid stressed that the RM1.5 billion interim Special Grant was not a substitute for resolving Sabah’s claim to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the State.
Instead, he said, it was a temporary payment pending the finalisation of the actual value of Sabah’s Special Grant.
The formula and implementation mechanism are being finalised between the Sabah Government, through the State Secretary and Sabah Finance Ministry, and the Federal Government, through the Treasury Secretary-General.
“The Minister’s priority remains clear - all matters concerning the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under MA63 must be resolved effectively in accordance with the Federal Constitution without undermining national unity,” Ahmad Farid said.
The statement followed media reports quoting Mustapha as saying Kalau mahu pembayaran RM1.5 bilion interim diteruskan, kekalkan kerajaan Madani (If you want RM1.5 billion interim payment to continue, retain Madani Government), which had been viral since Sept 27.
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