KUCHING: Increasing parliamentary seats were among the issues raised by Sabah at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here on Friday (Sept 12).
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said allocating more parliamentary seats to Sabah is in line with the MA63 spirit to better protect the interests of the state and the people.
"In principle, the Prime Minister agrees, but this needs to be thoroughly discussed at the technical level as it will involve amendment of the Federal constitution. This is why a good state-federal government relation is important," he said in a statement after the meeting at Satria Pertiwi Complex here.
He said another issue raised was to call for tourism to be listed in the Concurrent List (subjects on which both the federal and state governments can legislate).
Hajiji said that the matter would be brought to the technical committee for deliberations.
He said the cordial meeting on Friday opened the door for further discussions.
The Sabah delegation comprised Deputy Chief Ministers - Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya; Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Ariffin Arif; Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew; Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib and State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong.
The Sarawak delegation was led by Premier Tan Sri Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Openg.
Meanwhile, Hajiji also welcomed the launch of the RM7.6bil Sabah-Sarawak Link Road Phase 2 (SSLR 2) on the same day, which marked a major step forward in boosting connectivity between Malaysia’s two largest states in Borneo.
He said the project is significant not just in enhancing seamless connectivity between Sabah and Sarawak, but also goes a long way to promote economic growth in trade and tourism.
