KUCHING: Sarawak’s RM1.5-billion interim Special Grant is significant, but full Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation remains the priority, says Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin.
Welcoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement to raise the interim grant from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion, Willie described the increase as a positive and meaningful step that reflects continued progress in negotiations between the federal and Sarawak governments.
However, he stressed that the payment is explicitly an interim arrangement under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, with discussions still ongoing to establish a permanent formula for the annual Special Grant.
“The RM1.5 billion should be viewed as one important component of the broader MA63 implementation process, rather than the conclusion of that process,” he said in a statement.
The RM900-million increase provides Sarawak with substantially greater financial resources while signalling that the state’s constitutional financial rights continue to receive attention at the federal level, he added.
Willie said the immediate priority should now shift from negotiating yearly amounts to creating a transparent, sustainable and predictable mechanism for determining the grant.
He noted that Sarawak has consistently advocated for a formula that considers both the federal government’s financial capacity and appropriate minimum and maximum parameters, allowing the state to plan its long-term development with greater certainty.
“A clear and mutually agreed formula is far more important than relying on periodic interim adjustments,” he said.
He outlined five key principles that should underpin the future mechanism: clarity and transparency in how the grant is calculated, long-term sustainability for both governments, predictability for development planning, consistency with Article 112D and the original constitutional financial arrangements, and regular reviews to ensure continued relevance as fiscal conditions evolve.
Beyond the Special Grant, Willie reminded that MA63 encompasses much wider constitutional, administrative and institutional issues affecting Sarawak’s position within the federation.
He urged both governments to continue giving serious attention to unresolved matters, including greater autonomy in healthcare and education, as well as parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak in line with constitutional provisions and Paragraph 19(2) of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.
“The full implementation of MA63 requires continued commitment, constructive engagement and genuine cooperation between the Federal Government and the Governments of Sarawak and Sabah,” he said.
While describing the RM1.5-billion interim grant as a welcome milestone, Willie emphasised that the ultimate objective remains a comprehensive, fair and meaningful implementation of MA63 that safeguards the rights and interests of the people of Sarawak and Sabah.
