Sabah, S’wak must receive fairer, more equitable share of devt funds from Budget 2027 onwards, says STARSabah chief

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 22): Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, president of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STARSabah), has called for Sabah and Sarawak to receive a fairer and more equitable share of federal development funds as of Budget 2027. Kitingan emphasized that allocations should align with the Borneo states' geographical size, population, development needs, infrastructure deficits, and their contributions to the national economy.

He proposed calculating and paying Sabah's constitutional entitlement of 40% beginning in 2026, while the unpaid entitlement from 1974 to 2021 could be discussed separately between the federal and Sabah governments. Kitingan urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to demonstrate the political will and leadership necessary to make this payment a reality, stating it would help improve essential infrastructure, eradicate poverty, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the well-being of Sabah's people.

He stressed that Budget 2027 should not replicate past allocation patterns and must mark the beginning of a fairer federal development policy. Kitingan emphasized that correcting this regional imbalance is a matter of constitutional responsibility, fairness, and the future stability and prosperity of Malaysia.