KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government is open to the idea of raising the special grant for Sabah in the upcoming 2027 budget while awaiting the completion of negotiations regarding the 40% revenue claim from Sabah.
The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, stated that this is contingent upon the country’s economic situation at that time.
“If the economic conditions allow, I believe there would be no issue in increasing the special grant to Sabah,” he said.
Mustapha made these remarks to reporters after officiating the Contribution Ceremony for the Parliamentary Hajj Pilgrims of Sepanggar at the Sepanggar Parliamentary Service Centre today.
He was responding to discussions in the recent Sabah State Assembly session, where the majority of assembly members raised the issue of the 40 per cent revenue claim from the federal government derived from Sabah, urging for a swift resolution to the matter.
Mustapha expressed his gratitude to all Sabah assembly members who have debated this issue in the State Assembly.
“We are listening and examining this matter, and I have personally discussed it with the Honourable Prime Minister to inform him that this issue is being actively discussed in the State Assembly.
“This matter was also addressed in last week’s Federal Cabinet meeting, and the cabinet will make a decision regarding it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mustapha advised all prospective Hajj pilgrims to remain vigilant and heed advice and instructions, particularly from Tabung Haji and foreign embassies, due to the uncertain security situation in the Middle East, especially the regional tensions affecting movement.
He mentioned that 55 Hajj pilgrims from the Sepanggar constituency will depart for the Holy Land on May 11.
