Kota Kinabalu: Star Sabah President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan Jeffrey demanded an immediate joint Sabah-Sarawak review of all federal laws that violate the constitutional division of powers.
He also called for full restoration of revenue entitlements, including the 40pc net revenue due to Sabah.
Additionally, he insisted on binding parliamentary safeguards to prevent future federal encroachment on state rights.
The Deputy Chief Minister accused the Federal Government of systematically weakening the State through decades of legislative overreach.
“There are others that must be identified and challenged, which is why a proper legal and constitutional study must be undertaken to expose the full extent of these intrusions.
“These incursions have left Sabah poorer, weaker and more dependent, in direct contradiction to the promises made under MA63,” he said.
In a statement, Sunday, he backed recent criticism by Sarawak’s Governor over Federal interference, but that Sabah suffered far worse under multiple laws that have stripped the State of its rightful powers and revenues.
“I welcome the remarks by the Governor of Sarawak on the continued encroachment of federal powers into state jurisdictions.
“His stand on the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the Environmental Quality Act 1974 echoes concerns that we in Sabah have long shared under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“But for Sabah, the issue is not limited to oil and the environment. Other federal laws have also stripped us of powers and revenues that are rightfully ours,” said Jeffrey.
These include, the Territorial Sea Act 2012, the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Electricity Supply Act 1990.
“The Territorial Sea Act 2012 arbitrarily reduced Sabah’s maritime boundary to three nautical miles, costing us control of offshore resources.
“The Fisheries Act 1985 which centralised marine licensing under Putrajaya, weakened our authority over our own coastal livelihoods. Although some licensing powers have been returned in recent years, this is meaningless in practice,” he said.
He said the devolution leaves Sabah tied to federal law and dependent on federal goodwill.
“What Sabah needs is not piecemeal devolution but full restoration of our power to legislate, regulate and collect revenue from our seas.
“The Electricity Supply Act 1990 which removed Sabah’s sovereignty over our own power supply, leaving us dependent on federal agencies and outside decisions,” he said.
He said these are not the only laws that have eaten into Sabah’s autonomy.