KUCHING: The special grant increase for Sabah and Sarawak, based on the provision in the Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, has been scheduled for February 2023 for its final stage approval.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the Cabinet has agreed to approve the allocation as per the terms and the matter will be brought up to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) next month.
“The formula in terms of the increased amount of this special grant will be finalised during the meeting that will be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Kuching this coming February,” he said.
Fadillah said the federal government has decided that a series of preliminary discussions on other relatable matters to the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) should continue at the official level for action to be taken by ministries and agencies.
“The implementation action of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Special Council (MKMA63) through MTPMA63 that is chaired by the Prime Minister will involve Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor,” he said.
He said the MA63 Technical Committee, which is chaired by himself, will further discuss with all relevant agencies to conclude other matters that have not been highlighted in MTPMA63.
Citing an example, he said the process of handing over gas regulatory powers to the Sabah state government, with the granted approval by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 27, were among matters that has not been resolved to be brought to MTPMA63.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the Cabinet ministers have agreed to recognise the technical agencies in Sabah and Sarawak with the Public Works Department (JKR) of Sabah and Sarawak to be recognised as technical departments.
“With this recognition, JKR in Sarawak and Sabah are authorised to administer federal development projects amounting up to RM50 million,” he said.
Fadillah also pointed out that the government will continue the Pan Borneo Highway project, an initiative to improve the federal roads infrastructure in both the regions, by stages.
“At the moment, the Sarawak Pan Borneo project is over 91 per cent complete, while the Sabah Pan Borneo is over 73 per cent complete.
“The government is also committed to continuing the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) project which is divided into two phases, namely SSLR Phase 1 (Lawas-Long Lopeng Junction), which is now 10 per cent complete and SSLR Phase 2 as well as the Trans Borneo Highway involving Miri-Limbang-Lawas,” he said.
The Trans Borneo Highway will kick start following the appointment of a contractor by the Ministry of Works which is expected in 2024.
