By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 25: The Dewan Rakyat has approved amendments to legislation that will grant Sabah and Sarawak greater autonomy in managing scheduled waste within their respective states.
According to The Edge Malaysia, the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed through a majority voice vote after a debate involving 20 members of parliament from both sides.
The Bill enables the minister to temporarily suspend certain provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) in specific parts of the country.
At present, the regulation of scheduled waste nationwide falls under Act 127, which is centrally administered by the federal government.
Winding up the debate, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the amendment aligns with a decision by the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) to empower Sabah and Sarawak to manage and regulate scheduled waste on land and in their territorial waters.
He explained that federal provisions must first be suspended before the respective state ordinances can take effect, preventing overlapping jurisdictions and ensuring a smooth transfer of authority.
To maintain checks and balances, Joseph noted that any decision to suspend the Act must first be reviewed by the Attorney General and approved by the Cabinet before implementation.
“This mechanism ensures a clear and orderly transfer of authority, prevents legal conflicts, and complies with constitutional and statutory requirements under Act 127,” he said.
Joseph also assured that the federal government would not relinquish its responsibilities entirely, stressing that suspension orders would only be issued once both states are fully prepared to exercise the devolved powers.
Sarawak passed its Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance in its State Legislative Assembly last November, while Sabah is finalising eight draft laws, with tabling expected in November this year. — DayakDaily
