Thursday, March 11, 2010

Ku Li calls for review of federal-state relations


Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has called for a review of the federal and state relations, in order to keep up with recent developments. He said when the Malay Rulers signed the Federation of Malaya agreement in 1947, they did not foresee future circumstances. "Hence, maybe it is worth (another look) at the matter," said Tengku Razaleigh, at a forum organised by the My Constitution committee of the Bar Council in Kuala Lumpur. "I had suggested during a meeting with a Ruler 25 years ago, who is still alive today, of the need of changes in (federal government and state) relations."

Tengku Razaleigh said other countries which adopted federalism such as Canada and Australia had made changes to their agreements.

"Maybe we can emulate such changes with amendments coming from the council of rulers." He said this in view of some state government complaining that they were starved of resources, especially those run by the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Instances include the federal government's decision to deny Kelantan and Terengganu oil royalties.

[More to follow]

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