SANDAKAN: Putrajaya wants to address any potential legal and jurisdictional conflicts over Sabah's emerging blue economy before any disputes can develop.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said his ministry was examining the matter from the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) perspective, including where powers and responsibilities should lie between the state and Federal governments.
He said the experience of the oil and gas sector showed the importance of settling such questions early.
"From the MA63 perspective, I am looking into this so that when the blue economy is implemented later, there will not be disputes.
"From our experience in dealing with oil and gas, questions have now arisen over what falls under the State List and what falls under the Federal List," he said after closing the AquaGro Fiesta 2026 at Politeknik Sandakan Sabah here on Thursday (Aug 20).
Mustapha said relevant Federal laws and state ordinances should be examined to identify common ground and where necessary, harmonised.
Mustapha described the blue economy as a new growth area with significant potential for Sabah, pointing to ocean-based energy, aquaculture and marine resources, as well as minerals found at sea.
