PUTRAJAYA (March 21): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied claims that Terengganu was sidelined, highlighting instead that the PAS-led state government received a higher allocation after the unity government took over Putrajaya.

Anwar, who also serves as the finance minister, said that the federal government disbursed petroleum revenue amounting to RM786 million to Terengganu last year to assist the state government in meeting salary payment requirements as well as contractual commitments.

Additionally, Anwar noted that the government fulfilled its federal grant payment obligations to Terengganu, which amounted to RM413.64 million in 2023, representing an increase from RM399.12 million in 2022.

"We are also increasing the development allocation for Terengganu to RM1.59 billion in 2024, up from RM1.55 billion in 2023," Anwar said in the monthly meeting of the Ministry of Finance here on Thursday.

He reiterated the federal government's commitment to fairness and equity for all states, emphasising that his administration adheres to all requirements outlined in the Federal Constitution regarding state allocations.

He said the government remains open to discussions and suggestions from the Terengganu government on programmes such as infrastructure improvements and poverty eradication, which could be funded through oil royalty payments for the benefit of those residing in the state.

During a Dewan Rakyat session in early March, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kemaman, urged the federal government to explain arrears in petroleum revenue payments to the state in 2023.

Samsuri claimed that the state had yet to receive about RM1 billion from the federal government.