PAS calls for all states to be given more powers

 

A motion proposed by Siti Mastura Muhammad of the PAS women’s wing called for a review of the division of power between the federal and state governments.

SHAH ALAM: Members of PAS have unanimously approved a motion calling for a review of the division of powers between the federal and state governments laid out in the Federal Constitution.

“The federal government should also seriously consider allocating more power to the states, not only to Sabah and Sarawak, but to other states as well to meet the needs of the people,” said Siti Mastura Muhammad, representing the women’s wing, in tabling the motion.

The motion urged the federal government to establish a committee to review the division of federal and state powers. She said the committee should comprise members from various states, political parties, ethnicities, and nationalities.

Siti Mastura said the concentration of power in the federal government had led to mismanagement, abuse of power, and a failure to provide the best services to the people.

The excessive power held in Putrajaya had led to clear discrimination against states governed by parties not aligned with the federal government, she said.

“There should also be better coordination between the federal and state governments in various aspects, as outlined in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution,” she said.

Siti Mastura, who is Kepala Batas MP, suggested that the government should not practise a double standard in terms of providing services to state leaders or any state employees regarding allocation and development projects.

She also called for the abolition of agencies or statutory bodies that were established to “divert state development allocations” away from control of state governments.

The motion was supported by the Tumpat PAS delegate, Mumtaz Nawi, before it was unanimously approved by all delegates and the general assembly. - FMT