Consider Sarawak S Special Grant Formula In Next Budget Says Sim

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Sarawak deputy premier says the RM600 million special grant under the 2026 budget is only an interim amount.
Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state has contributed greatly to the federation over the past five decades and deserves to be given its rightful share to ensure development. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian has suggested that Putrajaya consider the Sarawak government’s proposed formula for the special grant to East Malaysian states under the next budget
While he welcomed the RM600 million special grant for Sarawak under the 2026 budget, Sim pointed out that this was only an interim amount until the grant’s formula was finalised, Dayak Daily reported.
He said the state government wanted a long-term formula to be put in place, as provided for under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, to ensure Sarawak received a consistently fair budgetary allocation.
“We hope the federal government will consider Sarawak’s proposed formula for the special grant rather than keeping it as the interim amount,” he was quoted as saying.
Sim stressed that Sarawak has contributed greatly to the federation over the past five decades and deserves to be given its rightful share to ensure development.
He lamented that 70% of federal government clinics and hospitals in the state were dilapidated and needed RM17 billion worth of repairs and upgrades.
“Peninsular Malaysia has dilapidated facilities too but not up to 70%,” he said.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak vice-chairman said Sarawak had world-class talent operating limited facilities and resources, quipping that it was like F1 drivers being asked to drive ordinary cars.
Sim, nonetheless, thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for expediting the Sarawak Cancer Centre, saying it would ease the burden of cancer patients.
Anwar announced a record allocation of RM6 billion for Sarawak under the 2026 budget, of which RM600 million will be the special grant to the Bornean state. - FMT

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