KOTA KINABALU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- A Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting this Monday will discuss the outstanding RM900 million balance of the special grant due to Sabah, as the state government pushes for the full disbursement of the amount following the interim payment of RM600 million received earlier.
The meeting will also discuss the computation of the 40 per cent special grant payable under MA63.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the state and federal governments are actively negotiating to ensure the remaining balance of the RM1.5 billion special grant interim payment announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can be paid out this year.
"The state and federal governments are actively negotiating to ensure that the allocation can be paid this year, and we believe it will be paid this year," he told reporters after officiating the Sabah Day National Month and Flag-Waving Campaign 2026 here today.
The Sabah state government was previously reported to have received an interim payment of RM600 million on June 12 last year.
During the State Legislative Assembly sitting on July 20, it was formally disclosed that the state had requested the remaining RM900 million to be fully disbursed within this year.
Responding to sentiments that Sabah has allegedly been sidelined in terms of development, Masidi, who also serves as Sabah Finance Minister, called on the people of the state to reflect on their own contributions in ensuring that Sabah remains firmly within the mainstream of national development.
"I think eventually we have to ask ourselves, what have we done to make sure that we are at the forefront or we are part and parcel of the entire development agenda in the country," he emphasised.
"Meaning to say, I think we should not just complain, but make sure we do what we can so that we too are equally part of the nation's development flow," he added.
The minister also urged Sabahans to display their patriotism by flying the state flag and the Jalur Gemilang in conjunction with Sabah Day and the National Month.
-- BERNAMA