Hajiji said this would involve more than 13,000 retired state civil servants, at a cost of about RM13 million to the state administration.

“God willing, we will distribute the RM1,000 to each (pensioner) before Aidilfitri,” he was quoted as saying by Sabah Media.

The chief minister added that the decision was in view of requests from pensioners and to honour their contributions to the state during their time in the civil service.

“In tabling the state budget recently, only current civil servants got a bonus. I feel it is unfair not to give a ‘bonus’ to state pensioners who have contributed to the Sabah government,” he said.

Hajiji previously announced a one-month bonus for civil servants in Sabah under the state’s budget for next year. The budget was approved by the state assembly last week.