AMENDMENTS to the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill will enable Sabah and Sarawak to have legislative authority over the management of scheduled waste, says Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said this is in line with Article 95C of the Federal Constitution.
Kurup said the eighth amendment to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 grants Sabah and Sarawak autonomy in implementing certain provisions of the Act.
“The rights and powers of autonomy specifically allocated to Sabah and Sarawak have always been preserved, and even improved, in line with what was agreed upon during the formation of Malaysia.
“This amendment is also in line with the spirit of federalism enshrined in the Federal Constitution,” he said when tabling the Bill for second reading in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said the amendment follows the decision of a meeting of the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 on April 14, 2022, held with the Sabah and Sarawak state governments regarding the granting of authority to manage and regulate scheduled waste on land and in their respective waters.
He said the proposed amendment not only aims to strengthen the governance of scheduled waste disposal management, but also reflects the commitment of the Madani administration in fulfilling its obligations and strengthening the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
When winding up the debate, Kurup addressed concerns over checks and balances under the proposed amendments, which gives the minister the power to suspend the operation of all or any provisions of the Act in different parts of Malaysia.
The Bill was later passed via a voice vote.
