{
  "id": 14658688,
  "title": "Samsuri gesa formula peruntukan lebih adil, ikut keperluan negeri",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/samsuri-gesa-formula-peruntukan-lebih-adil-ikut-keperluan-negeri",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T09:00:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/10/15/samsuri-gesa-formula-peruntukan-lebih-adil-ikut-keperluan-negeri"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, a member of the opposition party, has proposed a formula for allocating federal funds to the states in Malaysia. During a discussion on the 2027 budget, Samsuri emphasized that the formula should be based on clear criteria, not solely on the government's goodwill or political considerations. He suggested that the formula should take into account four key factors: each state's financial needs, ability to generate income, infrastructure gaps, and the costs of development and public services. Samsuri, who is also the Chief Minister of Terengganu, pointed out that the same amount of funds could have different effects on different states due to variations in their capacity to build infrastructure, attract investment, and increase citizens' income. Furthermore, he proposed that the formula should also consider the size of the state, population distribution, and the level of existing infrastructure development when determining funds per capita, rather than just relying on the number of inhabitants. Samsuri questioned why the federal government cannot apply the principle of equal distribution of funds across all states, while discussions with Sabah and Sarawak regarding their rights under the Constitution and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement are still ongoing. He asked why the same approach cannot be considered for states on the peninsula. Under the 2027 budget, Sabah and Sarawak each receive an increase to RM18.7 billion and RM16.2 billion, respectively. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also stated that discussions with both states will continue until a fair and balanced formula for annual payments is achieved. Samsuri also highlighted the increasing debt service costs, which are projected to rise by 6.5% from RM57.3 billion to RM61 billion the following year. He warned that the growing commitment to debt could hinder funding for essential services such as schools, hospitals, highways, clean water supply, and public amenities, potentially slowing down development and limiting assistance to the population. Samsuri also urged for greater funding to develop the East Coast economy, particularly connecting the ports of Kuantan, Kemaman, and Tok Bali with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) network. He believes that a better network between the port, railway, and industrial areas could attract investment in shipbuilding, manufacturing, and logistics, create jobs, and close the development gap between states.",
  "summary": "Ahli Parlimen Kemaman itu mempersoalkan mengapa prinsip peruntukan adil dan telus seperti dalam rundingan dengan Sabah dan Sarawak tidak diterapkan kepada negeri di Semenanjung.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Samsuri gesa formula peruntukan lebih adil, ikut keperluan negeri",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/samsuri-gesa-formula-peruntukan-lebih-adil-ikut-keperluan-negeri-14658708",
        "published": "2026-10-15T09:00:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}