KUCHING – Several differing interpretations about jurisdictions, including those regarding borders and land, in Sabah, Sarawak and at the federal level need to be finalised by the cabinet, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said the matter had been discussed in the technical committee meeting under the MA63 Implementation Action Council that he chaired on May 28.
“(Different) interpretations relating to jurisdiction of waters, including our continental shelves, meaning where our borders are… so Sarawak’s interpretation is that we have our own laws and state borders from before Malaysia was founded.
“There are different legal views at the federal level and interpretation at the state level (Sabah and Sarawak), so this matter must be brought to the cabinet to determine its direction… there are some matters where we agree to disagree,” he told reporters after officiating an event here today.
He also said that the conflicting stamp duty between the federal level and both states was among the matters that had yet to be agreed upon in the meeting.
“Sarawak’s interpretation is that it is the state’s jurisdiction (but) it is mentioned in the Federal Constitution that stamp duty is under federal (jurisdiction). So that’s another instance of differing interpretations, so we have to resolve it,” he said.
Sarawak representatives at previous MA1963 Implementation Action Council meetings include all three Sarawak deputy premiers – Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian – while Sabah has been represented by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan. – June 9, 2024