Kerajaan beri geran khas sementara RM1.5 bilion kepada Sarawak

Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim announced an increased special allowance for Sarawak this year, amounting to RM1.5 billion, during his address at Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching, Sarawak. The Malaysian Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, stated that Putrajaya had previously increased the special allowance for Sabah in stages to RM1.5 billion as a temporary measure until a permanent formula for revenue sharing was determined.

Anwar expressed surprise that Sarawak did not actually require such an increase, given its strong financial position, but decided to raise the amount out of a spirit of camaraderie. "As a temporary measure for Sarawak, I announce (the special allowance) of RM1.5 billion," he said during his formal Malaysia Day speech. He added that the federal government would continue consultations with both Sabah and Sarawak to finalize the annual special allowance formula.

Last year, the federal government allocated RM600 million each to Sabah and Sarawak, following an increase to RM300 million two years prior. In May, the Prime Minister announced that the RM600 million allocation for Sabah would be increased to RM1.5 billion pending the resolution of state constitution claims. On Sunday, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg suggested that the state's special allowance should be based on a portion of federal revenue, ranging between 5% to 10%, which Anwar had reportedly agreed to.