Latest news with #Inter-GovernmentalCommittee
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Upcoming redelineation of Sarawak's electoral boundaries yet to be finalised, says Sharifah Hasidah
Sharifah Hasidah said discussions with the federal government on the redelineation are ongoing. KUCHING (May 23): No final decision has been made so far regarding the upcoming redelineation of electoral boundaries in the state, said Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. The Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) said this is because discussions with the federal government on the matter are still ongoing. 'The Sarawak government has consistently championed the call to restore one-third representation for Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat, as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report of 1962. 'I would also like to inform this House that no final decision has been made so far regarding the implementation of the upcoming electoral boundary redelineation,' she said during the question-and-answer session in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today. She was responding to a question from Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (GPS-Bawang Assan) on when the upcoming electoral boundary redelineation will be completed. On a question regarding the additional number of seats in Parliament and the DUN, Sharifah Hasidah said this is also still being discussed. 'Discussions on strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and the Sarawak government will continue to champion this matter,' she added.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Petronas to comply with Sarawak laws, but exemptions granted
KUCHING: Although the dispute between Petronas and the Sarawak government over oil and gas rights has been formally resolved through a joint declaration, the national oil company and its subsidiaries operating in the state are still required to apply for operating licences under Sarawak laws. However, exemptions will be granted, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said at a press conference at the state legislative assembly today. The briefing followed the signing of the joint declaration between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Abang Johari in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. "They are required to submit their applications. We will grant them exemptions," he said. Under the declaration, Petronas is expected to "cooperate" with Petros on all future oil and gas ventures in the state, especially those involving international partners. Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and commitment in formalising the joint declaration, Abang Johari said the agreement reflected respect for Sarawak's rights and demonstrated that "real progress comes from genuine partnership and mutual trust". The most significant aspect of the declaration, he said, was the reaffirmation that both federal and Sarawak state laws must coexist harmoniously and be respected by all parties. "We respect their laws. They should respect ours," he said, adding that the joint declaration represented a milestone in Sarawak's evolving partnership with the federal government in the spirit of federalism. "This is a testament to the federal government's commitment, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to honour the aspirations and constitutional rights of Sarawak as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report." Abang Johari described the declaration as a clear manifestation of mutual respect and recognition of Sarawak's regulatory framework, in particular the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (DGO 2016). He said the collaborative framework outlined in the agreement would provide clarity and certainty to the oil and gas industry in Sarawak, particularly through recognition of Petros as the state's gas aggregator. As such, he said, all parties involved in the business of marketing, distributing and supplying gas to consumers in Sarawak must comply with DGO 2016. Looking ahead, Abang Johari reaffirmed Sarawak's commitment to working closely with the federal government, Petronas and Petros to implement the joint declaration in good faith. He said the agreement sets in motion a strategic shift aimed at unlocking Sarawak's gas potential, advancing the Sarawak Gas Roadmap, and accelerating the state's transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future — in line with Sarawak's aspiration to become the energy hub of the Asean region. When asked about the ongoing court cases filed by Petronas challenging Sarawak's rights over oil and gas, Abang Johari said he would leave the matter to the legal teams of both Petronas and Petros to resolve through due legal process.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Eight MA63 claims still under negotiation between Sarawak and federal govt
KUCHING: Eight claims related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) remain the focus of ongoing negotiations between the Sarawak and federal governments. Deputy Minister of Law, Malaysia Agreement and State-Federal Relations, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, said Sarawak would continue to engage with the federal government on matters pertaining to MA63. She said this was to ensure that all rights enshrined under MA63, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, and the Federal Constitution are restored and upheld. The eight items currently under negotiation, she said, include a proposal to increase the number of members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat. "The second claim concerns the proposed amendment of Item 25A (Tourism) in List I (Federal) of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, to be moved to List III (Concurrent)," she said. "The third claim, which is still under negotiation, relates to health, specifically, to empower the Sarawak Health director to carry out functions under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586), as well as issues concerning the development, upgrading, and planning of healthcare facilities in Sarawak." She was responding to Lidam Assan (GPS–Katibas) on the status of MA63 negotiations during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting today. Hasidah said the fourth item under negotiation is related to education, including staffing issues, the implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Stem) subjects in English, and matters relating to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). "We also want the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department to be recognised as a Technical Department under Treasury Instruction 182," she said. "The sixth item relates to Article 112 of the Federal Constitution, while the seventh involves the Borneonisation of the Federal public service in Sarawak. "The eighth claim concerns the development of the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border area." She said the Sarawak government is also actively pursuing two matters that have been agreed to in principle: the devolution of regulatory authority over environmental matters to Sarawak through the Natural Resources and Environment Board, and an amendment to the Federal Constitution regarding the appointment of Judicial Commissioners in Sarawak. "For the latter, the Sarawak government has submitted a draft proposal to amend Article 122AB of the Federal Constitution to the Judicial Appointments Commission," she said. Hasidah added that nine claims previously under negotiation have been resolved as of May 2025. Among the resolved matters are the handover of regulatory authority for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to the Sarawak government through Petros, and the amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to restore Sabah and Sarawak's status as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia. Other resolved matters include the amendment to the interpretation of the term 'Federation' under Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution, which now includes MA63 and related instruments such as the IGC Report as integral components of the Constitution. "The fourth resolved item is the amendment to Article 161A, giving Sarawak full power to define the term 'native' in a more comprehensive and inclusive manner. "The fifth empowers the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development to issue deep-sea fishing licences," she said.
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's rights always come first in negotiations with Putrajaya, says Sharifah Hasidah (Video)
Sharifah Hasidah said the state government's stand and firm position in all negotiations is always Sarawak first. – Ukas photo KUCHING (May 21): The Sarawak government's stance in upholding the state's constitutional and legal rights in all dealings with the federal government is unwavering, said Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. The Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) declared the state government will always prioritise Sarawak's rights first because it is vital to safeguard Sarawak's autonomy. 'I want to reiterate that our stand and firm position in all our negotiations is always Sarawak first, our rights first,' she told the august House during the question-and-answer session in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here today. She was responding to a question from Lidam Assan (GPS-Katibas), who had enquired on the status of Sarawak's MA63 negotiations. Sharifah Hasidah stressed that the Sarawak government remains steadfast in insisting that the federal government must recognise and acknowledge Sarawak's rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, the Federal Constitution, the State Constitution, and other relevant state laws. 'All these must be recognised. This is our stand and our position,' she said, adding that Sarawak will not compromise when it comes to matters involving its constitutional entitlements and autonomy. Sharifah Hasidah's remarks come as Sarawak continues to engage with Putrajaya on various outstanding issues related to the implementation of MA63 and the devolution of powers to the state. The Sarawak government has long maintained that the restoration and full implementation of MA63 is vital to ensuring equitable development and preserving the rights and interests of the state and its people. MA63 Sarawak autonomy Sarawak FIrst Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MA63: Sarawak outlines two top priorities in negotiations
KUCHING: The Sarawak government has outlined two key demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as its top priorities in negotiations with the federal government. Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, said among the current top priorities is the need to expedite discussions on the Special Grant formula under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. She said Sarawak is also looking into the matter of increasing the number of parliamentary seats of Sarawak in the House of Representatives, to better reflect the spirit and intent of the MA63. 'These issues have been brought up regularly by the Sarawak government through official meetings and negotiation platforms, including the Mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Pelaksanaan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963. 'The Sarawak government remains committed to ensuring that the rights and entitlements of the State are fully upheld in accordance with the Federal Constitution, MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report,' she said during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak State Assembly sitting today. Sharifah Hasidah was responding to a question from Lidam Assan (GPS-Katibas) on the current negotiation status of MA63 for Sarawak. Meanwhile, Sharifah Hasidah said the Sarawak government has partially resolved matters in respect of the Financial Review under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. She said in this regard, as an interim arrangement, the federal government has agreed to increase the amount of the Special Grant for Sarawak from RM300 million to RM600 million for a period of five years. 'Nevertheless, the Sarawak Government strongly urges that negotiations on the Special Grant formula be expedited, in the spirit of partnership and in recognition of Sarawak's constitutional rights under the Federal Constitution and the MA63,' she added.
