Fadillah (third left), flanked by Ruziah on his left and Omar (second left), presents the contribution at the RISE programme.
KUCHING (June 28): Sarawak’s Special Grant cannot be equated with Sabah’s constitutional entitlement as both states are governed by different provisions under the Federal Constitution, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
He stressed that comparisons between the two states should not be made as each is governed by a different constitutional framework.
“We have to understand the constitutional context—Sabah has a special constitutional provision under which 40 per cent of the revenue derived from the state is returned to Sabah.
“That provision is specifically for Sabah because it is enshrined in the Constitution. Sarawak does not have such a provision,” he told reporters after the Recognition of Inspiring Students Excellence (RISE) programme at SM Sains Kuching Utara here yesterday.
He was responding to questions on whether Sarawak could expect a Special Grant increase similar to Sabah.
Fadillah, also Petra Jaya MP, explained that Sarawak’s entitlement was governed by Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, with the state currently receiving an interim Special Grant of RM600 million while negotiations with the federal government continue on a revised mechanism.
“What Sarawak has proposed is a formula so that when adjustments are made, there is a clear basis for calculating them.
“That proposal is still under negotiation, and we are awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Finance,” he said.
Fadillah’s remarks come after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced an increase in Sabah’s Special Grant to RM1.5 billion, prompting questions over whether Sarawak could expect a similar revision.
Also present at the event were his wife Datin Amar Ruziah Mohd Tahir and Sarawak Education director Omar Mahli.