Kota Kinabalu: The use of the term “seizure” during proceedings in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly has been ruled unparliamentary, with Deputy Speaker Datuk Al Hambra Tun Juhar describing the wording as subjective and speculative.
The ruling followed an interjection by Tungku Assemblyman Assafal P. Alian during a debate by the Tamparuli Assemblyman, in which the term was used in reference to historical developments involving Sabah’s governance and financial powers.
Al Hambra said such terminology implied interpretation rather than established fact, and therefore did not comply with the House’s rules of debate.
He nevertheless acknowledged that Assafal’s point had been made and heard.
Earlier, Assafal was asked to clarify his remarks. In response, he referred to a Federal Government gazette dated May 20, 1965, which he said documented the federalisation of more than 100 Sabah ordinances.
According to him, these included laws related to petroleum, income tax and excise duties – areas he described as key sources of revenue. He argued that the ordinances were part of Sabah’s original legal framework inherited from the British administration.
Assafal further contended that the transfer of these powers resulted in Sabah losing control over significant financial resources. He also noted that the developments took place before the state had an elected legislative assembly.
He pointed out that Sabah held its first state election in 1967, with governance prior to that conducted through an appointed legislative council.
As such, he claimed that the decisions were made outside the State Assembly and without full participation from locally-elected representatives.
Assafal added that subsequent developments, including during the 1969 Emergency, contributed to further centralisation of powers at the Federal level.
He maintained that the issue relates to Sabah’s rights over governance and financial autonomy.
