The Sabah Government has proposed that tourism be placed under the Concurrent List of the Federal Constitution, saying the move would better reflect the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the proposal is not aimed at separating Sabah from the national tourism framework, but at creating a stronger and more effective partnership between the Federal and State governments.
He said Sabah’s unique biodiversity, island tourism, protected areas and indigenous cultural heritage require policies tailored to the state’s geographical and socio-economic needs.
According to Jafry, placing tourism under the Concurrent List would allow Sabah to strengthen licensing regulations, improve visitor safety, better protect its cultural and natural heritage, and introduce new initiatives such as a Tourism Sustainability Levy.
The proposal was discussed during the Technical Committee Meeting under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council in Putrajaya.
Jafry stressed that MA63 is a constitutional commitment that should continue to guide policy development and expressed confidence that closer cooperation between the Federal and State governments would strengthen Malaysia’s overall tourism industry.
