Round-the-clock breaking news from Malaysia.
The US Senate has approved a temporary funding measure by a commanding 90-6 vote, extending federal agency operations through December 11 and forestalling a potential government shutdown before the midterm elections.
Sabah's government will press federal authorities this week to release the outstanding RM900 million balance of a special grant promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, with negotiations underway to complete the full disbursement before year-end.
Melaka has been allocated RM9.801 million under the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation initiative for 2026, with the first instalment of RM1.206 million disbursed in February and the remainder distributed in July.
Banggi's federal representative is pressing the government to approve a RM300 million road development scheme for Pulau Banggi, comprising a 37-kilometre paved route implemented over three phases to address critical connectivity gaps.
The federal government has clarified that Sabah's RM1.5 billion special grant increase announced in May will not impact the state's development and operating allocations, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong confirmed in parliament.
Senior political advisor Tengku Zafrul has dismissed suggestions the federal government favours certain states over others in development spending, pointing to Johor's RM110 billion investment record as evidence of merit-based allocation.
The federal government is holding formal discussions with Sarawak aimed at enhancing the state's special grant under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the ongoing negotiations.