The special grant, he said, was unrelated to the state’s 40% tax revenue claim.

“The special grant that has been gazetted for a period of five years until 2026 will not affect the state’s claim on the 40% tax revenue,” he said.

He said this when responding to questions by Assafal P Alian (Warisan-Tungku) and Darell Leiking (Warisan-Moyog) during his winding-up speech at the state assembly meeting.

Hajiji previously said Sabah had been receiving a special grant of RM26.7 million, a static amount, for the past 53 years.

“However, under the leadership of this state government, we managed to reach a consensus where the amount for the special grant will be increased,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hajiji, who is also the state’s finance minister, assured the assembly that the state government would not stop pursuing Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Sabah has been demanding for the return of the state’s financial rights, including the 40% tax revenue collected from the state and 10% of the petroleum export tax.

“Hopefully, this matter can be realised because it has gone on for too long,” he said.