By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 24: The Federal government will increase the special grant for Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution to at least RM300 million.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced this when tabling the revised Budget 2023 in Parliament, Kuala Lumpur which was broadcast live today.
“For a long time since 1970, Sarawak only received a special grant of RM16 million per year.
“The government will increase it to at least RM300 million,” he said.
Anwar added that last year, the Federal government and the Sabah State government had reached an interim agreement for special grants subject to negotiation for a new formula.
“The government is committed to improve the rate of special grants than previously agreed and will expedite negotiations for a new formula for Sarawak and Sabah,” he gave assurance.
During his visit to Kuching to chair a meeting on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in January, Anwar was reported to have said Article 112D stated that the amount given should be based on the country’s economy.
He also agreed that the special grants for Sarawak and Sabah should be reviewed every five years so a more “reasonable” sum could be allocated. — DayakDaily
