By Daniel John Jambun President
Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) rejects Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that Sabah will receive the “highest ever allocation” in the 2026 Budget. Sabahans are not impressed by grand numbers repeated year after year. What we want is justice, not another round of empty promises.
Despite being allocated RM6.7 billion in 2025 and a doubling of special grants to RM600 million, Sabah continues to rank among the poorest states in Malaysia. Hardcore poverty may have dropped due to short-term aid programmes, but absolute poverty remains at 15–20%. Rural Sabahans still face dry taps, unreliable electricity, and poor roads. Our schools are overcrowded, hospitals under-equipped, and projects like the Pan Borneo Highway drag on endlessly.
The truth is, Sabah never receives the full allocation promised. At most, only 60% of funds are ever disbursed. The balance is clawed back by the Federal Government instead of being channelled to Sabah’s coffers. This is not development — it is daylight robbery.
Most insulting of all, these so-called “record allocations” are treated as if they are handouts from a benevolent Federal Government. Let us be very clear: Sabah is not begging for charity. Under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution, Sabah is entitled to 40% of the net federal revenue collected from our state. That is our right. No Prime Minister has the authority to replace constitutional justice with political gimmicks.
BoPiMaFo demands immediate action:
- Full Transparency & Accountability — enforceable timelines, independent monitoring, and public reporting of every ringgit allocated.
- Full Disbursement — 100% of allocations approved for Sabah must be channelled into the state’s coffers, not just 60%.
- Honour MA63 — immediately restore Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement as guaranteed by the Constitution.
- People-Centred Development — prioritise education, healthcare, rural economy, infrastructure, and poverty eradication, not vanity announcements.
Sabahans have been patient for far too long, but patience is not infinite. Every unfulfilled promise deepens distrust and widens inequality.
Sabah does not need more slogans, theatre, or token allocations. Sabah needs justice, respect, and full recognition of our constitutional rights.
