KOTA KINABALU: The passing of the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill in Parliament strengthens the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (pic).
He said this grants Sabah and Sarawak full authority to manage and regulate scheduled waste on land and in the waters of their respective states.
Mustapha, who is in charge of Sabah and Sarawak affairs, said the amendment aligns with Article 95C of the Federal Constitution and reinforces the implementation of the MA63.
He said the amendment reflects the government’s continued commitment to ensuring that the rights and jurisdiction of Sabah and Sarawak are respected and strengthened through legitimate legal channels.
“This is not a hasty decision, but the result of comprehensive consultations and reviews involving various stakeholders through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council,” he said yesterday.
Mustapha explained that the council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, serves as the main forum for policy discussions and coordination before any demands are translated into legislative amendments.
He added that the amendment is among the key outcomes of the 29 MA63 demands that the federal government, together with the Sabah and Sarawak state governments, is reviewing or has reviewed.
Mustapha said the move is expected to have a positive impact on environmental governance in both states, while strengthening federal-state cooperation to promote more sustainable and inclusive development.
