SINDUMIN: The RM600mil special grant for Sabah, announced recently by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is the highest amount recorded in history, said former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).
Khairy, who spoke when campaigning in Sindumin, said Putrajaya is committed to ensuring the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Khairy also said Putrajaya will honour Sabah’s entitlement to 40% of the revenue derived from the state.
"The government is committed to not appealing against the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s decision to affirm Sabah’s 40% entitlement to federal revenue earned in the state.
"Instead, they are finding the best formula for this with the next state government," said Khairy on Wednesday (Nov 26).
On Oct 22, Anwar announced a special grant of RM600mil to the state, which was an increase from the RM300mil special grant in 2023.
Anwar said the review of the Federal Special Grant for Sabah was carried out based on Putrajaya’s financial position and the need to cover service costs in Sabah across five years.
Khairy said youths are high in spirits and he does not want them to be carried away by emotions.
"Because, now is the time to solve issues to strengthen relations between the federal and Sabah government.
"This is not the time to argue because arguments will not benefit the people. We want Sabah’s rights to be preserved," added Khairy.
Meanwhile, Khairy said he and Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for Sindumin Datuk Yamani Hafez Musa has a history of cooperation since their days in Umno Youth.
Khairy said he did not appoint Yamani as the Sabah Umno Youth chief because his father was then state chief minister Tun Musa Aman.
"I appointed him because he has the support of Umno division youth chiefs. He also has a vision, hardworking, and honest.
"I know the traits of Yamani’s leadership. So, when I knew he was contesting, I stopped by Sindumin to support him," he said.
Khairy also said Yamani was the former deputy finance minister in Putrajaya and he is still young.
"So, give him a chance to serve here," added Khairy.
Sindumin is Khairy’s first stop in Sabah, and he subsequently headed to Melalap in Tenom to support PKR’s Jamawi Jaafar, and then Bongawan in Kimanis to support Umno’s Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
On Thursday (Nov 27), Khairy will head up north to support Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Mohd Arsad Bistari in Tempasuk (Kota Belud).
Recently, speculation has been rife that Khairy is set to make a comeback to politics.
Sabah will go to the polls this Saturday (Nov 29).
