Kota kinabalu: Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) has welcomed the Federal Government's decision to increase the interim special grant to RM1.5 billion, while urging the full implementation of Sabah's 40 per cent revenue entitlement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah PH chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement on May 30, which raised the interim grant from RM600 million, marking it as the highest allocation ever provided to the state. He emphasized, however, that this increase should not overshadow efforts to actualize Sabah's full entitlement to 40 per cent of the federal revenue collected from the state, as stipulated under MA63.

"We welcome the announcement and, based on records, it is the highest allocation in history. However, we are also carrying the aspirations of the people of Sabah as a whole that the full 40 per cent payment must be implemented," Mustapha stated to reporters following the Sabah PH 2025 Annual General Meeting. The meeting also included discussions on the grant and was attended by the two state PH deputy chairmen, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who is also the state DAP chairman, and Datuk Lahirul Latigu, who leads Sabah Parti Amanah.

Mustapha, who serves as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), highlighted his commitment to resolving the revenue entitlement issue before the next election, due to its significant implications for Sabah. He also conveyed hope that the RM1.5 billion interim allocation would be directed towards addressing the state's fundamental infrastructure issues, particularly in water supply, electricity, and roads.