KUCHING: The Sarawak Government continues to pursue long-term solutions for the Special Grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution and an increase in Sabah and Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat through ongoing negotiations regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said that while the increase in the interim special grant to RM1.5 billion from RM600 million is an appreciated development, it is not yet the final solution to the review of the grant.

“For a long-term solution, the Sarawak Government has submitted a proposal for a clear and consistent formula to be established in determining the Special Grant rate.

“The proposed formula remains under discussion between the Sarawak Government and the Federal Government, and to date, no final formula has been agreed upon,” she said.

She said this when responding to a question from Tellian Assemblyman Royston Valentine during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Friday.

Regarding the claim for a one-third parliamentary seat representation, Datuk Sharifah noted that the Federal Government agreed in principle during the MA63 Implementation Action Council Meeting on September 11, 2026, to increase the representation ratio of Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat.

However, she noted that the implementation mechanism—including the specific number of seats and necessary amendments to the Federal Constitution—remains subject to further refinement.

She stressed that the Sarawak Government will persist with negotiations with the Federal Government through the MA63 Implementation Action Council to champion matters that have yet to be finalised. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photos: Ibanez
Translator: Ryan Lim