SIPITANG: 13 June 2026 – Sabah and Sarawak require higher development allocations than other Malaysian states to ensure basic facilities such as roads, water and electricity supplies can be fully provided even in remote interior areas, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said.
Speaking at the launch of the Sabah Southern MADANI Link (SSML) project in Sipitang on Saturday, Anwar said the need must be assessed based on the size of the two regions, their geographical challenges and the higher cost of project implementation.
He said development funding should not be allocated based solely on population size, because Sabah and Sarawak have different infrastructure needs compared with states in Peninsular Malaysia.
“When we talk about the development of Sabah and Sarawak, we need to understand the reality and challenges faced in these regions,” he said.
Anwar noted that there are still areas requiring better access to basic amenities, including roads, clean water and electricity, to support economic development and improve the wellbeing of the people.
Development must not be concentrated only in major towns but should be extended to rural and interior areas so that its benefits can be enjoyed more equitably, he stressed.
He said strategic infrastructure projects being implemented by the government, including the SSML, reflect its commitment to ensuring development reaches people in all areas, including those far from growth centres.
The prime minister added that project implementation in Sabah and Sarawak often involves higher costs due to terrain, distance and difficult access to some locations.
“The government will continue to pay attention to the development needs of both regions to ensure the development gap can be narrowed and the people can enjoy better basic facilities,” he said.
Also present at the event were Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Phoong Jin Zhe, as well as other state and federal government leaders.
