KUALA LUMPUR: Discussions are underway to review and raise Sarawak’s interim payment following the increase in Sabah’s allocation, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (June 30), Anwar said Putrajaya has assured that negotiations will continue, as it is only appropriate that an increase be considered in the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“This will be approved as soon as possible, and discussions have already taken place between the Treasury Secretary-General and the Sarawak State Secretary.
“In the most recent negotiations with Sarawak Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg), no announcement (on an increase to the interim) grant was made, as the government wanted to focus on the RM1.8bil payment made to the federal government,” he said.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Boris Sophia Brodi (GPS–Sri Aman) on whether Putrajaya also intends to raise the special grant rate for Sarawak.
Anwar said the interim rate for Sabah is high based on the understanding under the MA63.
The Prime Minister previously announced that the interim for Sabah has been increased to RM1.5bil from RM600mil, pending the finalisation of the implementation mechanism for the state’s 40% revenue entitlement under MA63.
