By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 25: Sarawak hopes the Special Grant formula it submitted to the Federal Court will be approved soon, as the State continues to receive RM600 million annually for the next five years under an interim arrangement to review its constitutional financial entitlement under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said this at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Sitting today in response to Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek, noting that the financial review remains the only partially resolved matter under the ongoing Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiations.
She said the federal government had increased Sarawak’s Special Grant from RM300 million in 2024 to RM600 million beginning 2025, to be maintained for a period of five years while discussions on a long-term formula continue.
Sharifah Hasidah said negotiations remain active for seven major outstanding issues requiring deeper intergovernmental engagement. These include:
- Proposal to increase the number of members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak in the House of Representatives;
- Proposal to amend Item25A (Tourism) in List I (Federal) to List III (Concurrent), the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Consitution;
- Health-related matters;
- Education matters, including staffing, implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in English, and use of English for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET);
- Establishment matters under Article 112 of the Federal Constitution;
- Borneonisation of the federal public service in Sarawak; and
- Development of the Sabah–Sarawak–Kalimantan border region.
She added that two additional matters have been agreed to in principle pending formalisation: empowering the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) with environmental regulatory authority, and amending the Federal Constitution concerning the appointment of Judicial Commissioners in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, 11 key MA63 matters have been fully resolved as of November 2025, involving major constitutional amendments, the restoration of state rights, and enhanced regulatory powers.
Among the resolved matters are:
- Handing over of regulatory authority for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to Sarawak through PETROS;
- Amendment to Article 1(2) restoring Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners in the federation;
- Constitutional recognition of MA63 and the IGC Report under Article 160(2);
- Amendment to Article 161A allowing Sarawak full authority to define the term “native”;
- Empowerment for Sarawak to issue deep-sea fishing licences;
- Recognition of JKR Sarawak and DID Sarawak as technical departments for federal projects up to RM50 million;
- Amendment to the IRB Act allowing Sabah and Sarawak to appoint permanent board representatives;
- Special guidelines to facilitate the return of federal land in both Borneo states;
- Amendment to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance effective May 1, 2025;
- Change of Bintulu Port’s status from federal to state port; and
- Recognition of JBALB as a technical department under Treasury Instruction 182.
Sharifah Hasidah reaffirmed Sarawak’s commitment to pursuing its constitutional rights, saying the State government remains focused on ensuring that all unresolved matters are settled in the interests of Sarawakians. — DayakDaily
