Govt to give RM1.5bil interim special grant to Sarawak

 This is more than double the RM600 million that the Sarawak government previously received from Putrajaya.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he decided to raise Sarawak’s special grant amount in the spirit of friendship. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The federal government has decided to increase Sarawak’s special grant amount to RM1.5 billion for this year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced today.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said Putrajaya had raised Sabah’s special grant amount in stages from RM400 million to RM1.5 billion in the interim until a formula for the quantum is determined.

He quipped that Sarawak did not need a similar increase since it was in a strong financial position, but he decided to raise the amount in the spirit of friendship.

“In the interim for Sarawak, I announce a RM1.5 billion (special grant),” he said during the official Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching, Sarawak, tonight.

Sarawak previously received a RM600 million special grant from the federal government. - FMT

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