Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Government Backbenchers Club (Sabah BBC) has expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for announcing an additional RM1.5 billion interim payment to the Sabah Government.
Its chairman, Datuk Masiung Banah
(pic) said the decision reflected the Madani Government’s commitment to upholding the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and its constitutional responsibilities towards Sabah.
“Our struggle within the Sabah Government is clear. It is not political rhetoric and we will continue negotiations with the Federal Government on the remaining 40 per cent entitlement,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
Masiung, who is also the Kuamut Assemblyman, described the increase in the special grant payment as a historic development for Sabah.
He said the additional allocation would strengthen the State Government’s efforts to accelerate the implementation of basic infrastructure projects, particularly in water supply, roads, healthcare and rural education.
According to him, BBC Sabah will continue to monitor and support the transparent and effective utilisation of the funds to ensure maximum benefit for the people.
He said the Prime Minister’s commitment also demonstrated efforts to strengthen Federal-State relations and reinforce public confidence that equitable and sustainable development remains a priority.
Anwar announced the increase during the opening of the State-level Kaamatan Festival 2026 at Hongkod Koisaan on Saturday.
The interim payment increase is a temporary measure pending the finalisation of the mechanism for implementing Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement under MA63.
