Kerajaan beri geran khas sementara RM1.5 bilion kepada Sarawak

Perdana Menteri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM1.5 billion special allocation to Sarawak, citing camaraderie. Prime Minister Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, revealed that Putrajaya had previously increased the special allocation to Sabah incrementally to RM1.5 billion as a temporary measure until a permanent formula is determined.

He admitted that Sarawak did not necessarily need such an increase, given its strong financial position, but decided to raise the amount due to camaraderie. "As a temporary measure for Sarawak, I announce RM1.5 billion," he said at a national day rally in Kuching, Sarawak, tonight. Anwar added that the federal government would continue consultations with Sabah and Sarawak to finalize the annual special allocation formula.

Last year, the federal government distributed 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 to Sabah would be increased to RM1.5 billion pending a final decision on the state's constitutional claim to a share of federal revenues.

On Sunday, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg suggested that the state's special allocation should be based on a share of federal revenue, between 5% to 10%, adding that Anwar had essentially agreed to his proposal.