PM Anwar: Sarawak interim special grant increased to RM1.5 bln from 2026

Anwar addressing the National-Level Malaysia Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sept 16, 2026.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Sept 16: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the interim Special Grant for Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) has been increased to RM1.5 billion annually, effective from this year.

Anwar said the decision reflected the spirit of solidarity and friendship between the federal government and Sarawak, adding that the interim allocation would enable the State to channel greater resources into projects, programmes and facilities for the people.

He also emphasised that the federal government would continue negotiations with Sarawak towards finalising a sustainable formula for determining the annual Special Grant.

“Regarding the Special Grant under MA63, previously I announced that the interim allocation for Sabah would be increased from RM600 million, and it has now been raised further to RM1.5 billion while negotiations continue.

“For Sarawak, in the spirit of solidarity and Malaysian friendship, I am announcing an interim allocation of RM1.5 billion,” he said when officiating the National-Level Malaysia Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here tonight.

Anwar said he was grateful that the spirit behind the agreement could be translated into projects, programmes and facilities that directly benefited the people.

“This is the aspiration of Independence in 1957 and the formation of Malaysia in 1963,” he said.

He called on Malaysians to use the opportunity to strengthen the country’s unity and dignity while driving national development through good governance and integrity.

“Let us make full use of this opportunity to uphold the nation’s dignity, safeguard unity, and drive the country forward through good governance and integrity.

“God willing, Malaysia can become a great nation and serve as an example for the region and the world,” he said.

On MA63, Anwar said the agreement was fundamentally tied to promises made by the country’s founding leaders, who had decided to strengthen the bonds between the territories that formed Malaysia.

He said the federal government therefore took seriously the need to review and examine previous decisions relating to the agreement.

“I have said that these matters cannot be fully resolved as long as some among us, particularly our friends in Peninsular Malaysia, continue to view MA63 as an issue concerning only Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Anwar stressed that MA63 should instead be regarded as a national responsibility involving all Malaysians.

“I have emphasised that under my leadership, MA63 is a national covenant (waad nasional), a national responsibility, and one that must be addressed at the national level,” he said. — DayakDaily