KUCHING: Negotiations are still ongoing between the Federal and Sarawak governments on the formula for the provision of special grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
 
According to Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, as an interim payment, the Federal government has decided to raise the annual Special Grant to Sarawak from RM16 million to RM300 million, pending the finalisation of the formula to be agreed upon between both governments.
 
“I wish to inform that negotiation on the formula for special grant is still ongoing.
 
“As an interim payment, the Federal government has decided to raise the annual special grant to Sarawak from RM16 million to RM300 million pending the finalization of the formula to be agreed upon between the Federal and Sarawak governments,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Session on Wednesday.
 
The Second Minister for Finance and New Economy said, the state government is committed to continue working closely with the Federal government to secure more development funds to support Sarawak’s development agenda.
 
This includes the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, and Sarawak Green Energy initiatives, he said.
 
“We are also leveraging on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 platform whereby the funding need for Sarawak is also being raised and deliberated, particularly for the development of basic infrastructure, utilities, telecommunication, border security, health, and education,” he added. -UKASnews