Kota Kinabalu: A supplementary question on whether Sabah had given its consent to the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Act 2024 sparked a brief exchange in the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday over the Federal Government's legislative process involving the State.
Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau
(pic) questioned whether Sabah had consented to the Act when it was tabled in Parliament, saying he supported the State Government's decision to defer its implementation if the law had been passed without the State's agreement.
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Madius also claimed several Federal laws, including the Petroleum Development Act 1974, the Territorial Sea Act 2012 and the 1994 amendment to Article 122A of the Federal Constitution, were passed without Sabah's consent, prompting Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya to ask him to retract or rephrase what he described as a "very sweeping statement".
Madius maintained he could substantiate his claims and said matters affecting Sabah's rights under Article 161E of the Federal Constitution should require the State Government's consent rather than consultation alone.
Replying, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the State Government would continue to defend Sabah's rights if they were affected and welcomed Madius' support for its decision to defer implementation of the AKPS Act.
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