Budget 2027: MPs welcome higher Sabah, Sarawak allocations, call for faster project delivery

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — During a debate on the Supply Bill (Budget) 2027, Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed support for the higher interim special grants and development allocations for Sabah and Sarawak. Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman) welcomed the increase in the interim special grant for both states from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion, but urged the federal government to expedite the creation of a transparent, objective, and sustainable final formula in line with Article 112D of the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Datuk Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (BN-Kinabatangan) called for clarity on the latest status of negotiations concerning the 40 per cent formula granting Sabah the right to receive a designated portion of the Federal Government's net revenue from the state. Wetrom Bahanda (KDM-Kota Marudu) recommended carrying forward unspent development allocations for Sabah to the following year through a Carry Forward Fund, ensuring the effective utilization of approved allocations despite potential delays.

Wilfred Madius Tangau (GRS-Tuaran) emphasized the need to end the culture of announcing development projects that become delayed, proposing measures to ensure the utilization of Sabah's development allocations by addressing project-related issues before project commencement. The Dewan Rakyat session continued that day.