Interfaith council urges judicial reform to uphold separation of powers
In a statement, the council said the amendment is necessary to uphold the independence of the judiciary and honour the government's election manifesto commitment to reforms that...
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Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak DUN to table Bill on increasing assembly seats on July 7
Asfia (centre) flanked by Deputy Speaker Dato Idris Buang (left) and DUN secretary Nur Azhar Bujan holds up the documents for the media after the press conference. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 5): A special one-day sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has been scheduled on July 7 to table the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, which seeks to increase the number of elected members in the Assembly. DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar announced this during a press conference at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here today. 'On June 18, I received a directive from the Premier to convene the State Legislative Assembly on July 7, for a one-day sitting,' he said, adding that the meeting will begin at 9am at the DUN Chambers on Level 8 of the DUN Complex. The Bill will be tabled by Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, with the first, second and third readings all to be carried out on the same day. Asfia said the Bill proposes to amend the composition of DUN membership, which currently stands at 82 elected members and was last increased from 71 seats in 2014. 'The last increase was in 2014, when the number of seats was raised from 71 to 82. That was 11 years ago,' he said. 'Under Article 14(1)(b) of the Sarawak Constitution, the Dewan has the power to increase its composition, and there is no maximum limit stated.' He explained that the Bill only requires a simple majority to pass, not two-thirds, as provided under Article 41(3)(a) of the Sarawak Constitution. 'Clause 2 shall not apply to a Bill for making any amendment consequential or law prescribing the number of elected members of the Dewan Undangan Negeri,' Asfia said, referring to the exemption from the two-thirds requirement for changes to the DUN composition. Asfia stressed that while the DUN can increase the number of seats, the actual delineation of constituency boundaries remains under the purview of the Election Commission (EC), a federal agency. 'Let me draw a clear line of demarcation between the composition of elected members in the DUN and the delineation of constituencies on the ground,' he said. 'Delineation is not done by the DUN. It is left to EC.' Asfia also cited the Federal Constitution to justify the timing of the proposed increase. 'Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution allows an increase in composition after an interval of not less than eight years,' he said. In terms of electoral context, Asfia said the lowering of the voting age to 18 has led to a 'staggering increase in the number of voters,' especially in vast and geographically challenging constituencies in Sarawak. He highlighted that Hulu Rajang spans 34,080 square kilometres, and Baram covers 22,075 square kilometres—both larger than the combined size of Perlis and Malacca. Bintulu, he added, has the highest number of voters at 113,599. 'The elected representatives are prisoners of geography in these colossal constituencies,' he remarked. Responding to questions from reporters, Asfia declined to reveal the proposed number of additional seats, saying: 'I will leave that entirely to the Minister who tables the Bill. I only speak on the legal interpretation and reasons for the increase.' When asked whether the move would lead to a similar increase at the federal parliamentary level, Asfia said: 'Parliamentary seats are outside the ambit and jurisdiction of the DUN Sarawak. They require a two-thirds majority in the National Parliament.' A notice for the one-day sitting was issued on June 20, 2025, in accordance with Standing Order 8(3), which allows for an early sitting if deemed in the public interest by the Chief Minister.
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
No urgent need for major DBP Act amendments, says director-general
BACHOK: There is no pressing requirement for significant amendments to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Act, as existing legislation already reinforces the use of the National Language in official matters. Government circulars and other legal provisions ensure proper language use across public services, according to DBP Director-General Dr Hazami Jahari. He highlighted that language enforcement is firmly rooted in Article 152 of the Federal Constitution, which designates Malay as Malaysia's official language. Additional support comes from the Education Act, local authority bylaws, and regulations on product labeling and public advertising. 'After 69 years of DBP's existence, we face no major issues in enforcing the National Language because current laws are adequate. What we need now is stronger implementation and commitment from agencies, local authorities, and society,' he told reporters after launching the East Region Writers' Camp. The proposed amendments aim to expand DBP's role internationally and establish it as the sole certifying body for language courses and publications. Another key proposal is requiring DBP endorsement for official recognition of language-related goods and publications. Hazami stressed that legal measures alone cannot uphold the National Language. Instead, fostering love and responsibility among Malaysians is crucial. 'Countries like Japan and Thailand thrive linguistically without punitive laws, relying instead on national pride and awareness,' he said. Earlier, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek noted that the amendments aim to strengthen DBP's role in promoting Malay, alongside a RM50 million allocation announced in Budget 2025. - Bernama
Borneo Post
18 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Rectify systemic infringement on Sabah's constitutional and economic rights - LDP
Chin KOTA KINABALU (July 4): Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) treasurer general Chin Kian Ming has issued a strongly worded statement, condemning the federal government under the leadership of Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim for continuously delaying, weakening, and even denying the constitutional rights granted to Sabah under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The party warned that such actions constitute a double betrayal of the political dignity and economic future of the people of Sabah. Chin expressed deep dissatisfaction over the federal government's failure to fulfill Sabah's rightful entitlement to the 40% net revenue return. According to Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution, this return mechanism should have been a cornerstone of Sabah's financial autonomy. However, the revenue formula originally scheduled for completion by July 2024 has yet to be announced or supported by any legal implementation mechanism. Chin criticized, 'This is no longer just administrative delay — it reflects institutional disregard and a blatant violation of constitutional principles.' He pointed out that Article VIII of MA63 clearly requires that the provisions of the Agreement be implemented through legislation or other formal mechanisms, especially regarding the rights of the East Malaysian states. However, to date, the federal government has not taken any meaningful legal action to return powers to Sabah. The related committees have become mere 'symbolic platforms' with no tangible progress in restoring Sabah's legal position. He also harshly criticized the federal government for continuously relying on and enforcing the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA) and the Territorial Sea Act 2012 (TSA) without the consent of the Sabah state government. These two Acts effectively strip the state of control over petroleum and maritime resources. Such actions clearly violate Paragraph 24 of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, which states that land and natural resources shall remain under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state unless otherwise amended by the State Legislative Assembly. He further pointed out that although Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution was amended in 2019 to restore Sabah and Sarawak's status as 'partner states' (rakan sekutu), this restoration has had no substantive impact in practice. Sabah continues to be treated as a second-class state in matters of federal budget allocation, project prioritization and national policy consultation, which is a serious departure from the founding spirit of the Federation in 1963. According to Chin, the federal government's persistent denial of Sabah's rightful status and autonomy has led to long-term structural developmental imbalance. Despite being one of the richest states in Malaysia in terms of natural resources, Sabah continues to suffer from the highest poverty rates and weakest access to education and healthcare services. This reflects not only economic exploitation, but also systemic neglect of Sabahans' right to survival and development. Chin emphasized that Sabah should enjoy localized decision-making powers in education and healthcare. According to Paragraphs 15 and 17 of the IGC Report, Sabah is entitled to tailor policies to local conditions. However, the reality is that the highly centralized federal system severely suppresses local reforms, leading to shortages in rural hospitals, deteriorated school infrastructure, and a massive outflow of local talent — creating a vicious cycle of 'resource extraction and entrenched poverty.' He also expressed concern over the gradual erosion of Sabah's rights in language and cultural-religious diversity. MA63 guarantees the right for Sabah to continue using English as an official administrative language and to preserve the state's multireligious environment. However, recent years have seen increasing pressure from federal unification policies that threaten Sabah's generational tradition of harmonious multiculturalism. Even more worrying is the systemic weakening of Sabah's immigration autonomy. According to Paragraph 6 of the IGC Report, Sabah has the legal authority to control the entry and residence of non-state residents to preserve demographic balance and social stability. The federal government's repeated attempts to pressure Sabah into relaxing these controls have led to increasing issues with illegal immigration and demographic imbalances, fueling deep public anxiety. He stressed that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 is not just a historical document, but a living political covenant that serves as the foundation of Sabah and Sarawak's entry into Malaysia. If the spirit of this covenant continues to be undermined, it will ultimately destabilize the unity of the Federation itself. He called for the immediate implementation of the 40% revenue return mechanism; the repeal of federal laws imposed without East Malaysia's consent; and full restoration of state autonomy in natural resources, education, healthcare, land and immigration. Chin further declared its intention to pursue additional political and legal measures, including proposing motions in the Sabah State Assembly, seeking judicial review, and strengthening strategic alliances with other local political parties to defend East Malaysian rights. 'We will no longer settle for symbolic gestures. The people of Sabah demand real autonomy and genuine respect — not hollow rhetoric and double standards. 'MA63 is not a relic of the past, but a living legal contract. If the federal government continues to violate its terms, it is not just betraying Sabah — it is undermining the rule of law in Malaysia. The Liberal Democratic Party stands united with the people of Sabah to defend our rightful entitlements, our resources, and our future,' Chin concluded in its statement.
