40% Special Grant Entitlement Will Be Finalised Soon: Hajiji

6 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s long-standing 40 per cent special grant entitlement will be finalised soon, due to the strong and constructive relationship between the State and Federal Governments.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said, “We believe that a close and robust relationship is not only necessary but vital for continuous progress. This includes matters of sovereignty, security, unity and nationhood.

“While we advocate for Sabah’s rights, we must not forget our responsibility to safeguard national interests,” he emphasised.

Hajiji said he is optimistic that this cooperative relationship will yield significant benefits.

“I am confident that a strong relationship will bring many advantages, including the finalisation of the Federal Government’s obligation regarding the 40 per cent revenue entitlement payment for Sabah, which we hope can be concluded soon for our mutual benefit,” he said at the Sentuhan Madani programme officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Saturday.

The Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities and elevating Sabah’s status over the next five years.

“Our primary goal is to drive economic progress and improve the well-being of our people. Every plan we implement must centre on their prosperity, whether directly or indirectly, through economic advancement and employment opportunities,” he said.

Beginning next year, Sabah’s development direction will be guided by the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 plan, which includes the creation of three new industrial parks:

• an Industrial Park for the Blue Economy in Kudat,

• an Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Beaufort, and

• a High Technology and Semiconductor Industrial Park between Kota Belud and Kota Marudu

— all designed to meet rising investor interest.

Reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of Sabahans, Hajiji announced expanded social welfare measures. These include the construction of 50 Rumah Mesra SMJ units in every state constituency to support the poor and hardcore poor, along with RM300 monthly financial assistance for 100,000 recipients next year.

Additional initiatives include a new financial aid scheme for senior citizens aged 60 and above without fixed income, and a deposit assistance incentive for first-time homebuyers.

The Chief Minister added that the State will intensify efforts to upgrade basic infrastructure, with over RM1.2 billion allocated to water supply projects, the first phases of which are expected to be completed by mid-next year.

He also thanked the Prime Minister for the RM765 million allocation to complete the Sabah Southern Link Project, which will connect the West Coast electrical grid to the East Coast to resolve persistent power disruptions.

Hajiji further commended the security forces for their exemplary service in maintaining public order during the recent election.