Kuala lumpur: The Sabah government has urged the federal government to give due consideration to swiftly resolving the state's 40 per cent revenue entitlement, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said. He expressed this during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the request was raised by Hajiji on behalf of the Sabah government, emphasizing the need for prompt action to address the 40 per cent revenue payment to Sabah. The Chief Minister expressed hope for an expedited resolution during a joint press conference with Anwar and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg after the meeting.

At the same press conference, Prime Minister Anwar announced that the federal government had consented to increase Sabah's interim special grant to RM1.5 billion beginning this year, while negotiations on the 40 per cent revenue entitlement proceed. He added that the payment is anticipated to be disbursed in late October or early November.

On May 30, Anwar had previously indicated that Sabah's interim special grant would rise from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion as the finalisation of the mechanism to implement the state's 40 per cent revenue entitlement under MA63 is underway.