Sarawak, federal gov’t near final deal on higher interim payment under MA63 framework

Anwar responding to questions in Parliament on June 30, 2026. Photo credit: Information Department Malaysia

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 30: Negotiations between the federal government and Sarawak on increasing the State’s special interim payment are expected to be finalised soon.

In a TVS news, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the proposed increase, similar to the arrangement for Sabah, should also be extended to Sarawak in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“This matter will be resolved as soon as possible, and discussions are currently ongoing between the Treasury Secretary-General (Tan Sri Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican) and the Sarawak State Secretary (Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki),” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie (GPS–Sri Aman), who asked whether Sarawak would also receive an increased interim payment similar to Sabah.

Anwar added that the progress of the negotiations was not disclosed during his visit to Sarawak, as attention was focused on the Bintulu Port handover ceremony from the federal government to the State government.

On Sabah’s revised interim payment of RM1.5 billion, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said it was agreed upon through mutual understanding with the state government under the MA63 framework.

For context, Sarawak currently receives a special interim grant of RM600 million annually, effective from 2025. — DayakDaily