[UPDATED] Sabah, S’wak to get full autonomy over development projects under RM50 mil: PM

PUTRAJAYA – Sabah and Sarawak will have full control over development projects under RM50 million, announced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.

Anwar said this change will allow both states to handle projects at those values without being hampered by bureaucracy and requiring approval from Putrajaya.

“Even with the presence of JKR (Public Works Department) in Sabah and Sarawak, the execution of development projects will need the final say from Putrajaya, as per the standard practice.

“But today, we (the cabinet) as well as the Finance Ministry have agreed to give full autonomy to Sabah and Sarawak for projects valued under RM50 million, with proper compliance with the established monetary regulations,” said Anwar in a press conference following a cabinet meeting today.

Anwar also revealed that the government is deliberating on a new formula for the special grants for the Bornean states, as prescribed under Article 112D of the federal constitution.

Article 112D of the federal constitution mentions the special grants guaranteed to Sabah and Sarawak, and states that they should be reviewed every five years.

Anwar said this is another issue to be resolved with the Sabah and Sarawak governments when he chairs the meeting of the Special Council on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 soon.

Previously, Anwar announced that oversight of decisions and activities related to natural gas sourced from Sabah will be devolved to the state, in view of the ongoing effort to restore the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 

He also vowed to resolve other MA63 issues by the end of this month.

The issues are being tackled expeditiously, especially with the appointment of Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as deputy prime minister.

Fadillah, who is also plantation industries and commodities minister, has been assigned to lead the new government’s efforts to resolve MA63 matters. – The Vibes, January 4, 2023