Masiung Banah, vice-president of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, said Shafie’s explanation, attributing his administration’s “lenient” stance to Putrajaya’s high debt, was unacceptable.
He said the interests and welfare of the people should have been the top priority, ensuring that larger allocations could be channelled to address basic needs in areas such as rural infrastructure.
Masiung contrasted this with the current administration under Hajiji Noor which he said had shown consistency.
He said Hajiji’s diplomatic approach was bearing fruit as Sabah was set to receive RM600 million in special grants under Budget 2026.
“The lesson for voters is clear: do not choose leaders who give up easily.
“Sabah needs strong and resolute voices, not leaders who make excuses,” the Kuamut assemblyman told FMT, adding that it would be up to the people to decide whether Shafie failed to defend Sabah’s rights in the matter.
Shafie, who served as chief minister from May 2018 to September 2020, said on Monday that his administration accepted the RM53.4 million grant in 2019 in light of the federal government’s fiscal constraints at the time.
The Senallang assemblyman also denied that his government had been submissive in fighting for Sabah’s rights, as recently alleged by GRS deputy secretary-general Armizan Mohd Ali.
Armizan said Warisan had frequently criticised Barisan Nasional for maintaining Putrajaya’s special grant to Sabah at RM26.7 million for about 45 years.
However, during Shafie’s tenure as chief minister, the amount was only increased to RM53.4 million under the 2020 budget – a figure that was accepted, according to a letter dated Oct 18, 2019 from the state treasury to the finance ministry.
Parti Bersatu Sabah vice-president Arthur Sen also questioned Shafie’s justification, noting that the federal government was now able to allocate RM600 million despite the national debt and liabilities reaching RM1.69 trillion.
He said the 2019 federal financial statement tabled in Parliament in 2020 showed the government’s debt at RM792.9 billion – much lower than the current level.
“The national debt is far higher now than in 2019. So why is it that after Shafie’s administration was replaced, the special grant rose from RM120 million to RM300 million, and now to RM600 million?” Arthur asked.
He, too, credited a prudent and diplomatic approach by Hajiji for facilitating smoother negotiations with Putrajaya and strengthening Sabah’s case in its financial demands.
“The GRS-led state government clearly has stronger grounds to assert Sabah’s rights, not to yield easily under the guise of serving the people,” he said.