Latest news with #MalaysiaAgreement1963
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Putrajaya open to petroleum revenue deal for Sabah
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: PMO pic KOTA KINABALU: The federal government is open to negotiating a petroleum revenue deal with Sabah, similar to the one in place with Sarawak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Speaking at the state-level Kaamatan Festival in Penampang, Anwar said he has no objection to Sabah receiving a greater share of oil and gas income, as long as discussions are structured and responsible. 'We did it with Sarawak—why not Sabah? I have no problem,' he said, suggesting that the same federal-state negotiation model could be applied. He emphasised that national, federal, state, and Petronas interests must all be protected. Anwar also criticised politicising the issue, saying progress comes from negotiation, not street-level rhetoric. Addressing Sabah's long-standing frustrations, he acknowledged persistent issues like electricity, clean water, education, healthcare, roads, and poverty. While recognising valid concerns, he urged appreciation of recent development efforts. Sabah currently receives 5pc in petroleum cash payments a deal local leaders have long considered unfair. The state is pushing for a better arrangement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. Advertisement Anwar said while Sabah's needs are important, the government must also serve other states with limited resources. Still, he reaffirmed the federal commitment to support Sabah's development and address real, ongoing challenges faced by its people. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Federal-Sabah ties must be close, built on mutual trust
Federal-Sabah ties must be close, built on mutual trust – PM Anwar KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger ties between the federal government and Sabah, grounded in mutual trust and aimed at advancing the state's development and protecting the welfare of its people. Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said Sabah should follow Sarawak's example, where closer federal-state cooperation has shown tangible benefits. Advertisement He reiterated Putrajaya's commitment to working with Sabah's leadership on governance and development, to further safeguard the state's interests and wellbeing. 'The federal government has long prioritised Sabah's needs. This isn't about state elections, it's about responsibility,' he told reporters after meeting Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders on Thursday night. SPONSORED CONTENT Anwar added that the federal government has consistently shown concern for Sabah's needs, and the issue goes beyond electoral considerations. Also present were Sabah PH chairman Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), PKR Sabah State Leadership Council (MPN) chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmu, and Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Advertisement Anwar said that under his administration, the Federal Government had demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through a committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, along with ministers from Sabah and Sarawak. He said that as a result of that determination, nine key matters which were delayed for decades had been successfully resolved, and even more complex issues such as those concerning oil affairs had been addressed. Advertisement 'So we propose the same principle so that more assured revenue for Sabah can be achieved. Not misused - for me, continuity and governance are the priorities, not leaders scrambling for wealth for themselves. 'But to use the opportunity to defend the fate of the people. This is the government that must be upheld and supported for our people,' he said. Anwar said the Federal government has proven its commitment to defending Sabah's rights, especially in addressing the issue of the Sulu group's claim, which was successfully repelled and overcome, thus upholding the dignity of the state as part of Malaysia. "We gave our full commitment in the Cabinet meeting, and even in the recent ASEAN summit, we managed to ensure that Sabah's issues are always prioritised," he said. Asked about PH's cooperation strategy in the Sabah State Election (PRN), Anwar, who is also PH Chairman, said that Sabah PH is currently holding discussions with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN). "Let Sabah PH decide; they are negotiating with GRS and negotiating with Sabah BN. These Sabah PH leaders will come forward and coordinate. Right now, it seems that all meetings are progressing, and we don't anticipate any problems," he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Federal-Sabah ties must be close, built on mutual trust
KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger ties between the federal government and Sabah, grounded in mutual trust and aimed at advancing the state's development and protecting the welfare of its people. Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said Sabah should follow Sarawak's example, where closer federal-state cooperation has shown tangible benefits. He reiterated Putrajaya's commitment to working with Sabah's leadership on governance and development, to further safeguard the state's interests and wellbeing. 'The federal government has long prioritised Sabah's needs. This isn't about state elections, it's about responsibility,' he told reporters after meeting Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders on Thursday night. Anwar added that the federal government has consistently shown concern for Sabah's needs, and the issue goes beyond electoral considerations. Also present were Sabah PH chairman Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), PKR Sabah State Leadership Council (MPN) chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmu, and Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Anwar said that under his administration, the Federal Government had demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through a committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, along with ministers from Sabah and Sarawak. He said that as a result of that determination, nine key matters which were delayed for decades had been successfully resolved, and even more complex issues such as those concerning oil affairs had been addressed. 'So we propose the same principle so that more assured revenue for Sabah can be achieved. Not misused - for me, continuity and governance are the priorities, not leaders scrambling for wealth for themselves. 'But to use the opportunity to defend the fate of the people. This is the government that must be upheld and supported for our people,' he said. Anwar said the Federal government has proven its commitment to defending Sabah's rights, especially in addressing the issue of the Sulu group's claim, which was successfully repelled and overcome, thus upholding the dignity of the state as part of Malaysia. 'We gave our full commitment in the Cabinet meeting, and even in the recent ASEAN summit, we managed to ensure that Sabah's issues are always prioritised,' he said. Asked about PH's cooperation strategy in the Sabah State Election (PRN), Anwar, who is also PH Chairman, said that Sabah PH is currently holding discussions with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN). 'Let Sabah PH decide; they are negotiating with GRS and negotiating with Sabah BN. These Sabah PH leaders will come forward and coordinate. Right now, it seems that all meetings are progressing, and we don't anticipate any problems,' he said.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Anwar: Federal-Sabah ties must be close, built on mutual trust
Anwar has reiterated Putrajaya's commitment to working with Sabah's leadership on governance and development. – Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU (May 30): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger ties between the federal government and Sabah, grounded in mutual trust and aimed at advancing the state's development and protecting the welfare of its people. Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said Sabah should follow Sarawak's example, where closer federal-state cooperation has shown tangible benefits. He reiterated Putrajaya's commitment to working with Sabah's leadership on governance and development, to further safeguard the state's interests and wellbeing. 'The federal government has long prioritised Sabah's needs. This isn't about state elections, it's about responsibility,' he told reporters after meeting Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders on Thursday night. Anwar added that the federal government has consistently shown concern for Sabah's needs, and the issue goes beyond electoral considerations. Also present were Sabah PH chairman Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), PKR Sabah State Leadership Council (MPN) chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmu, and Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Anwar said that under his administration, the Federal Government had demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through a committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, along with ministers from Sabah and Sarawak. He said that as a result of that determination, nine key matters which were delayed for decades had been successfully resolved, and even more complex issues such as those concerning oil affairs had been addressed. 'So we propose the same principle so that more assured revenue for Sabah can be achieved. Not misused – for me, continuity and governance are the priorities, not leaders scrambling for wealth for themselves. 'But to use the opportunity to defend the fate of the people. This is the government that must be upheld and supported for our people,' he said. Anwar said the Federal government has proven its commitment to defending Sabah's rights, especially in addressing the issue of the Sulu group's claim, which was successfully repelled and overcome, thus upholding the dignity of the state as part of Malaysia. 'We gave our full commitment in the Cabinet meeting, and even in the recent ASEAN summit, we managed to ensure that Sabah's issues are always prioritised,' he said. Asked about PH's cooperation strategy in the Sabah State Election (PRN), Anwar, who is also PH Chairman, said that Sabah PH is currently holding discussions with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN). 'Let Sabah PH decide; they are negotiating with GRS and negotiating with Sabah BN. These Sabah PH leaders will come forward and coordinate. Right now, it seems that all meetings are progressing, and we don't anticipate any problems,' he said. – Bernama anwar ibrahim development lead pakatan harapan PRN
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PM: PH Sabah to decide priorities, strategy
Anwar (seated centre) and PH Sabah leaders at the press conference. KOTA KINABALU (May 30): Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah will lead in determining its own direction, priorities and strategy for the upcoming state election, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with PH Sabah leaders here on Thursday night, Anwar said his visits to Sabah are not to dictate, but to listen and understand the views of PH leaders in the state. 'Our view is that when I come, I take the opportunity to listen. The view of PH Sabah will determine the priority, strategy, manifesto and areas in consultation with friends such as GRS or BN and then we decide,' he said. Anwar explained that full control of election planning in the state has been entrusted to PH Sabah, in line with his belief in local autonomy and trust-based collaboration. 'Our decision is to hand over control of the election to PH Sabah. Why? Because I believe that if we want to defend the future of the state and its people, the relationship between PH Sabah and the people must be close, based on mutual trust,' he said. He added that Sabah should emulate the improving relationship between the Federal Government and Sarawak, which has led to better outcomes in terms of development and federal-state cooperation. 'That is why I urge the people of Sabah to think about this. There must be a stronger network between PH Sabah and the Sabah government,' he said. Anwar also reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), pointing to significant progress made over the past two years. 'We gave priority to MA63 through the efforts of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof and all the Sabah and Sarawak ministers. This is proof of our commitment. That's why we managed to solve nine major issues that had been outstanding for decades,' he said. 'For me, transparency and governance are essential. This is not about fighting for personal gain, but about defending the future of the state. We are also the government that stood firm on Sabah's sovereignty in the Sulu claim. We spent a great deal to defend the dignity of our nation,' Anwar said. He pointed out that Malaysia's position on Sabah was also successfully defended during recent ASEAN engagements, thanks to strong representation from Malaysian officials. Turning his attention back to the state election, Anwar said that PH Sabah has four key leaders who will lead the decision-making process. Anwar also shared that he had met with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to offer his support for the direction each respective coalition had agreed upon. 'We support what PH Sabah wants. We also support what BN wants,' he said, adding that the room for communication remained open. 'In any political engagement, the space to discuss matters must never be closed. What we want is a stable political landscape and a close relationship between federal and state leaders,' Anwar said.
