KOTA KINABALU, Sept 13 – Sabah has called for an increase in parliamentary seats for the state at Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Kuching, Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the request was in line with the spirit of MA63 to safeguard the state’s interests.
“The Prime Minister agreed in principle but noted that the matter requires thorough discussion at the technical level as it would involve amendments to the Federal Constitution. This is why a good State-Federal government relation is important,” he said in a statement.
Hajiji said the meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, also discussed a proposal to place tourism under the concurrent list, which will be referred to the technical committee.
The Sabah delegation comprised Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, several state ministers and State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong.
In a related development, Hajiji welcomed the launch of the RM7.6 billion Sabah-Sarawak Link Road Phase 2 (SSLR 2), calling it a significant step to boost connectivity and spur economic growth in trade and tourism.
