SANDAKAN – Budget 2024 saw the government increase its allocation for Sabah and Sarawak, with RM12.4 billion allocated cumulatively for the Borneo regions, with RM6.6 billion for Sabah and RM5.8 billion for Sarawak respectively.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the allocation marks an increase of RM100 million for each state, respectively.
He also said that the interim special grant for Sabah and Sarawak is set to be increased from RM16 million to RM300 million for Sarawak, and from RM126.5 million to RM300 million for Sabah under the 2024 supply bill.
“The last time that the special grant to Sabah and Sarawak was revised was in 1969 (and 2022); it means that after 1969, it has never been revised.
“That is why it has now increased to RM300 million.
“Sabah and Sarawak have become a focus because we (Malaysia) have been left behind in the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he said when tabling the 2024 budget in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar added the implementation authority for development projects that cost under RM50 million has been passed down to respective technical agencies in both states. – October 13, 2024