{
  "id": 7808083,
  "title": "Govt to give RM1.5bil interim special grant to Sarawak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/govt-to-give-rm1-5bil-interim-special-grant-to-sarawak-7808083",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/16/govt-to-give-rm1-5bil-interim-special-grant-to-sarawak"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian federal government has announced an interim special grant of RM1.5 billion for Sarawak, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed during Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching. Anwar, who serves as finance minister, explained that the increase is in the spirit of friendship, despite Sarawak being in a strong financial position.\n\nThe government will continue negotiations with Sabah and Sarawak to establish a formula for annual special grants. Last year, Sabah and Sarawak each received RM600 million in special grants. In May, the prime minister had announced that the RM600 million allocated to Sabah would be raised to RM1.5 billion pending the resolution of the state's constitutional claim to a share of net federal tax revenue.\n\nSarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg suggested during a recent interview that the state's special grant should be based on a share of federal revenue between 5% and 10%. Anwar had reportedly agreed to this proposal in principle.",
  "summary": "This is more than double the RM600 million that the Sarawak government previously received from Putrajaya.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Sarawak's Interim Special Grant Increased To RM1.5 Bln - PM Anwar",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/general-sarawaks-interim-special-grant-increased-to-rm1-5-bln-pm-anwar",
        "published": "2026-09-16T12:57:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Govt to give RM1.5bil interim special grant to Sarawak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/govt-to-give-rm1-5bil-interim-special-grant-to-sarawak",
        "published": "2026-09-16T14:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}