DAP’s Dr Kelvin Yii said transparency was important to ensure that the amount was not based on political considerations.

Last month, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said that the formula for the grants – as stipulated in the Federal Constitution – was in the midst of being finalised.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously said the federal government agreed to increase the special grant to Sarawak to RM300 million.

Yii said while he welcomed the increase, it was more important to have “a clear and set formula” to ensure the increase in the special grants would be sustainable and not made at the whims and fancies of any government.

He added that the quantum had been revised and doubled in 2019 by the Pakatan Harapan government, the first time a revision had been made after 50 years.

However after the PH government collapsed in 2020, the sum was reduced to the original amount in 1969 and it was not increased until this year.

“That is why it is important that a clear and transparent formula has to be in place to ensure the amount given does not fluctuate based merely on political considerations, but rather on a proper equitable structure and formula to ensure it is sustainable,” the Bandar Kuching MP said in a statement.

He said while it had been explicitly stated in the constitution that 40% of the federal collection from Sabah would be returned to the state, the quantum was not specified for Sarawak.

“That is why I hope that the government will take the necessary step to be transparent about the formula, especially for Sarawak, as this involves significant public interest and the need for us to be treated equitably under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.”