KUCHING: Sabah raised several issues including increasing parliamentary seats for the  state at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63)  meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here today. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the meeting was held in a  cordial manner that has opened the door for further discussions. 

He said Sabah wanted more parliamentary seats to be created in the state in line with  the MA63 spirit and further protect the interest of the state and her people. 

"In principle, the Prime Minister agrees but that this needs to be thoroughly discussed at  the technical level as it will involve amendment of the Federal constitution. This is why  a good State-Federal government relation is important," he said after the meeting at  Satria Pertiwi Complex here. 

Another issue raised was to call for tourism to be listed in the concurrent list, which would  also be brought to the technical committee for deliberations. 

The Sabah delegation comprised Deputy Chief Ministers - Datuk Seri Panglima Dr  Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Datuk Shahelmey  Yahya, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Science, Technology and  Innovation Minister Datuk Ariffin Arif, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk  Seri Panglima Christina Liew, Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister  Datuk James Ratib and State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong. 

Meanwhile, Hajiji also welcomed the launching of the RM7.6 billion Sabah-Sarawak Link  Road Phase 2 (SSLR 2) today, which marked a major step forward in boosting  connectivity between Malaysia’s two largest states. 

He said the project is significant not just in enhancing seamless connectivity between  Sabah and Sarawak but goes a long way to promote economic growth in trade and  tourism. 

The Sarawak delegation was led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji  Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg. 

Ends