KOTA KINABALU: The RM1.5bil interim special grant payment announced for Sabah is a sign of the Madani government's commitment to fulfilling state rights, says Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) said this increase from RM600mil announced in 2025 was also a proof of the government's obligation to address Sabah's 40% claim in a systematic and responsible manner.
"For the record, before the change in government in 2022, Sabah only received around RM26.7mil annually for decades even though the 40% revenue right is in the Federal Constitution," he said.
Mustapha said this following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Kaamatan announcement to increase Sabah's 40% interim payment from RM600mil to RM1.5bil at the state Kaamatan opening in Penampang on Saturday (May 30).
He said this also shows that the Federal government does not only hear and listen to the people's voices but also give serious attention to Sabah's rights.
"We have to be fair in assessing the progress in this matter. The issue of Sabah's 40% net revenue claims has been going on for decades and cannot be solved in a short period of time without strong political will as well as good state and Federal relations," he said.
Mustapha shared how in 2022, Sabah received RM125.6mil in interim payment, RM300mil in 2023 and 2024, RM600mil for 2025 and this year and the latest, to expect RM1.5bil as interim payment.
"Therefore this announcement is an achievement which has to be appreciated by all Sabahans," he said.
