Sabah Mps Say More Money Is Great But Remind Putrajaya That Good Governance Means Treating State As True Partner

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Betong MP Datuk Dr Richard Rapu said in the Dewan Rakyat that on October 22, 2025 that Malaysia was built on an equal partnership, and development allocations must reflect that. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Members of Parliament from Sabah have expressed support for the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening good governance and accountability in upholding the state’s rights in line with the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Most of the state’s representatives participating in today’s Dewan Rakyat debate on the Supply Bill 2026 (Budget 2026) viewed the MADANI Government’s efforts to empower Sabah’s rights as something that must continue consistently, particularly in revenue distribution, autonomy and balanced development implementation among regions.
Datuk Siti Aminah Aching (BN-Beaufort) said the people of Sabah appreciated the government’s move to raise the special grant to RM600 million and allocate RM6.9 billion under Budget 2026, but stressed that this must be followed by a transparent implementation mechanism that adhered to the spirit of MA63.
She said the Federal Government’s commitment must also be reflected through the return of Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement as provided for under MA63.
“I urge that the spirit of MA63 be translated into the implementation of government policies and remind all that Sabah and Sarawak are founding partners of Malaysia, not subordinate regions within the Federation.
“Let us not rub salt into an open wound because Sabah and Sarawak are territories that jointly formed Malaysia through the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” she said.
Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau), meanwhile, raised the long-standing triple issue of poor roads, electricity and water supply infrastructure that continued to plague Sabah.
He said since 2019, no fixed allocation had been provided for the maintenance of federal street lights in Sabah, and the state had also faced two major power disruptions this year.
Lo suggested several steps to address the matter, including setting a maximum technical approval period of no more than three months for all infrastructure projects in Sabah.
“Secondly, establish a mandatory feedback system whereby all complaints to ministries or agencies must be answered within 14 days instead of being ignored for decades. Thirdly, introduce a special fast-track approval mechanism for urgent projects such as water, road and electricity works,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (BN-Putatan) proposed that policy implementation for development in Sabah be given comprehensive attention, particularly in the health, energy and basic infrastructure sectors, so that its benefits could reach rural communities.
He said the Federal Government’s RM6.9 billion allocation under Budget 2026 for Sabah development reflected the Madani Government’s commitment, but implementation must be accompanied by effective monitoring at the state level.
“The reform of the public health sector must focus on three key areas: delivery efficiency, availability of frontline staff, and infrastructure improvement,” he said.
Shahelmey also urged the government to expedite the absorption of contract doctors into permanent positions, in tandem with the upgrading of health facilities such as the proposed Sabah Heart Centre at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, and to strengthen the Rural Electricity Supply Programme (BELB) to enhance power access in remote villages.
In addition to Sabah MPs, representatives from Sarawak participating in the debate also voiced the need for Budget 2026 to truly embody the MA63 spirit and ensure balanced development across regions.
Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (GPS-Betong) emphasised that the development gap was not only about infrastructure but also access to quality education, economic opportunities and equitable social services between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Federation of Malaysia was not built based on one party dominating another. It was built on an equal partnership between Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. Allocations for basic rural infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and electricity supply must be aligned with Sarawak’s vast size, not merely its population.
“Budget 2026 must serve as proof that the commitment to MA63 is reflected not just in statements but in figures, policies and actual implementation,” he said.
The sitting continues today. — Bernama

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