PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rejected allegations that federal infrastructure development is disproportionately concentrated in certain states, insisting that all regions have seen increases in allocations under his administration.
Responding to a question in the Dewan Rakyat from Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN–Jelebu), Anwar said that development expenditure from 2022 to 2025 had risen across the board.
"In Sabah, allocations rose from RM5.2 billion to RM6.7 billion; in Sarawak, from RM4.7 billion to RM5.9 billion; in Terengganu, from RM1.4 billion to RM1.8 billion; in Kelantan, from RM2.4 billion to RM3.2 billion; in Kedah, from RM1.6 billion to RM2.2 billion; and in Perlis, from RM400 million to RM600 million," he said.
"I wish to emphasise that under the Madani government, no state has been sidelined — in fact, allocations have increased based on needs," Anwar added.
He noted that Sabah and Sarawak have naturally received larger allocations due to the scale of ongoing infrastructure packages in both states. Chief among these are the RM15.9 billion Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah and the RM10 billion Sabah–Sarawak Link Road.
Anwar also cited the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) — which cuts across Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan and part of Selangor — with a total cost of RM74.96 billion, as well as the RM6.38 billion Central Spine Road, which connects Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
"This explanation is important as it counters the long-standing perception and allegations of marginalisation. However, even when these figures are presented, they are often disregarded and the old narrative continues to persist," he said. - August 28, 2025
