By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 2: Sarawak will not object to a higher Special Grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution if Putrajaya can afford it, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent statement in Parliament that Sarawak deserves the same interim special grant as Sabah, Abang Johari said the matter had yet to be discussed in detail between the two governments.
“I would like to thank the federal government if they increase the allocation under Article 112D of the Constitution.
“If they want to increase it, thank you,” he told reporters when met after the official launch of New Horizons for Western Digital (WD) Sarawak: Advancing AI Innovations and Powering Growth at Sama Jaya High-Tech Park here today.
Abang Johari further said Anwar had only briefly touched on the matter during their meeting in Bintulu, without any concrete figure being put on the table.
“There has not been any detailed discussion yet. When we met in Bintulu, he did touch on it and said they would look into increasing the allocation.
“I just kept quiet and said, ‘Thank you,’ because he did not mention how much,” he pointed out.
Abang Johari said any further negotiation would likely be handled by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), noting that the proposal came from the federal government itself.
“Maybe the MOF will discuss it further because this comes from them. On behalf of Sarawak, whatever is given, we will accept,” he added.
Asked whether Sarawak’s proposed formula for the Special Grant could secure about RM1.5 billion in funding, Abang Johari said the final amount would depend entirely on Putrajaya’s fiscal strength.
“It depends on the capability of the federal government. We are also sympathetic to them.
“If they have the money, why not share it? But if they don’t, and the financial situation does not permit, we also understand,” he said.
Describing Malaysia as one nation, Abang Johari said Sarawak would not push Putrajaya beyond its means, but made clear that the State expects fairness in return.
“If you can afford it, give, and we share. If you cannot afford it, we can tolerate. But perhaps there are other ways, such as tax incentives or other incentives,” he said.
He stressed that Sarawak was not making unreasonable demands, saying the State’s approach has always been grounded in partnership, not pressure.
Sarawak currently receives an interim Special Grant of RM600 million annually from the federal government under the ongoing review of Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. The amount was increased from RM300 million following the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council meeting in September 2024.
The issue resurfaced after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on June 30 that Sabah’s interim Special Grant would be raised from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion this year, pending the finalisation of the mechanism to implement the State’s 40 per cent net revenue entitlement under MA63. — DayakDaily
