Constitution

Malaysia 1957 Constitution (reviewed 2007)

Table of Contents

PART VI. RELATIONS BETWEEN THE FEDERATION AND THE STATES

Chapter 1. Distribution of legislative powers

73. Extent of federal and State laws

In exercising the legislative powers conferred on it by this Constitution-

  1. Parliament may make laws for the whole or any part of the Federation and laws having effect outside as well as within the Federation;
  2. the Legislature of a State may make laws for the whole or any part of that State.

74. Subject matter of federal and State laws

  1. Without prejudice to any power to make laws conferred on it by any other Article, Parliament may make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the Federal List or the Concurrent List (that is to say, the First or Third List set out in the Ninth Schedule).
  2. Without prejudice to any power to make laws conferred on it by any other Article, the Legislature of a State may make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List (that is to say, the Second List set out in the Ninth Schedule) or the Concurrent List.
  3. The power to make laws conferred by this Article is exercisable subject to any conditions or restrictions imposed with respect to any particular matter by this Constitution.
  4. Where general as well as specific expressions are used in describing any of the matter enumerated in the Lists set out in the Ninth Schedule the generality of the former shall not be taken to be limited by the latter.

75. Inconsistencies between federal and State laws

If any State law is inconsistent with a federal law, the federal law shall prevail and the State law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

76. Power of Parliament to legislate for States in certain cases

  1. Parliament may make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List, but only as follows, that is to say:
    1. for the purpose of implementing any treaty, agreement or convention between the Federation and any other country, or any decision of an international organisation of which the Federation is a member; or
    2. for the purpose of promoting uniformity of the laws of two or more States; or
    3. if so requested by the Legislative Assembly of any State.
  2. No law shall be made in pursuance of paragraph (a) of Clause (1) with respect to any matters of Islamic law or the custom of the Malays or to any matter of native law or custom in the States of Sabah and Sarawak and no Bill for a law under that paragraph shall be introduced into either House of Parliament until the Government of any State concerned has been consulted.
  3. Subject to Clause (4), a law made in pursuance of paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of Clause (1) shall not come into operation in any State until it has been adopted by a law made by the Legislature of that State, and shall then be deemed to be a State law and not a federal law, and may accordingly be amended or repealed by a law made by that Legislature.
  4. Parliament may, for the purpose only of ensuring uniformity of law and policy, make laws with respect to land tenure, the relations of landlord and tenant, registration of titles and deeds relating to land, transfer of land, mortgages, leases and charges in respect of land, easements and other rights and interests in land, compulsory acquisition of land, rating and valuation of land, and local government; and Clauses (1) (b) and (3) shall not apply to any law relating to any such matter.

76A. Power of Parliament to extend legislative powers of States

  1. It is hereby declared that the power of Parliament to make laws with respect to a matter enumerated in the Federal List includes power to authorise the Legislatures of the States or any of them, subject to such conditions or restrictions (if any) as Parliament may impose, to make laws with respect to the whole or any part of that matter.
  2. Notwithstanding Article 75, a State law made under authority conferred by Act of Parliament as mentioned in Clause (1) may, if and to the extent that the Act so provides, amend or repeal (as regards the State in question) any federal law passed before that Act.
  3. Any matter with respect to which the Legislature of a State is for the time being authorised by Act of Parliament to make laws shall for purposes of Articles 79, 80 and 82 be treated as regards the State in question as if it were a matter enumerated in the Concurrent List.

77. Residual power of legislation

The Legislature of a State shall have power to make laws with respect to any matter not enumerated in any of the Lists set out in the Ninth Schedule, not being a matter in respect of which Parliament has power to make laws.

78. Legislation restricting use of rivers

In so far as any law made by Parliament or any regulation made in pursuance of such a law restricts the rights of a State or its residents to the use for navigation or irrigation of any river wholly within that State it shall not have effect in that State unless it has been approved by a resolution of the Legislative Assembly of that State supported by a majority of the total number of its members.

79. Exercise of concurrent legislative powers

  1. Where it appears to the presiding officer of either House of Parliament or of the Legislative Assembly of any State that a Bill or an amendment to a Bill proposes a change in the law relating to any of the matters enumerated in the Concurrent List, or to any of the matters enumerated in the State List with respect to which the Federation is exercising functions in accordance with Article 94, he shall certify the Bill or amendment for the purposes of this Article.
  2. A Bill or amendment certified under this Article shall not be proceeded with until four weeks have elapsed since its publication, unless the presiding officer, being satisfied that the State Governments, or as the case may be, the Federal Government, have been consulted, allows it to be proceeded with on the ground of urgency.

Chapter 2. Distribution of executive powers

80. Distribution of executive powers

  1. Subject to the following provisions of this Article the executive authority of the Federation extends to all matters with respect to which Parliament may make laws, and the executive authority of a State to all matters with respect to which the Legislature of that State may make laws.
  2. The executive authority of the Federation does not extend to any matter enumerated in the State List, except in so far as is provided in Articles 93 to 95, nor to any matter enumerated in the Concurrent List, except in so far as may be provided by federal or State law; and so far as federal or State law confers executive authority on the Federation with respect to any matter enumerated in the Concurrent List it may do so to the exclusion of the executive authority of the State.
  3. So far as a law made under Clause (4) of Article 76 makes provisions for conferring executive authority on the Federation it shall not operate in any State unless approved by resolution of the Legislative Assembly of that State.
  4. Federal law may provide that the executive authority of a State shall extend to the administration of any specified provisions of federal law and may for that purpose confer powers and impose duties on any authority of the State.
  5. Subject to any provisions of federal or State law, arrangements may be made between the Federation and a State for the performance of any functions by the authorities of the one on behalf of the authorities of the other and such arrangements may provide for the making of payments in respect of any costs incurred under the arrangements.
  6. Where, in pursuance of Clause (4), any functions are conferred by federal law on any authority of a State the Federation shall make such payments to the State as may be agreed between the Federation and the State or as may in default of agreement be determined by a tribunal appointed by the Chief Justice of the Federal Court.

81. Obligations of States towards Federation

The executive authority of every State shall be so exercised-

  1. as to ensure compliance with any federal law applying to that State; and
  2. as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive authority of the Federation.

Chapter 3. Distribution of financial burdens

82. Financing expenditure relating to matters on Concurrent List

Where any law or executive action relating to any of the matters enumerated in the Concurrent List involves expenditure, such action shall be taken under this Constitution as will ensure that, unless otherwise agreed, the burden of that expenditure is borne-

  1. by the Federation, if the expenditure results either from federal commitments or from State commitments undertaken in accordance with federal policy and with the specific approval of the Federal Government;
  2. by the State or States concerned, if the expenditure results from State commitments undertaken by the State or States on its or their own authority.

Chapter 4. Land

83. Acquisition of land for federal purposes

  1. If the Federal Government is satisfied that land in a State, not being alienated land, is needed for federal purposes, that Government may, after consultation with the State Government, require the State Government, and it shall then be the duty of that Government, to cause to be made to the Federation, or to such public authority as the Federal Government may direct, such grant of the land as the Federal Government may direct:Provided that the Federal Government shall not require the grant of any land reserved for a State purpose unless it is satisfied that it is in the national interest so to do.
  2. Where in accordance with Clause (1) the Federal Government requires the State Government to cause to be made a grant of land in perpetuity, the grant shall be made without restrictions as to the use of the land but shall be subject to the payment annually of an appropriate quit rent and the Federation shall pay to the State a premium equal to the market value for the grant; and where the Federal Government so requires the State Government to cause to be granted any other interest in land, the Federation shall pay to the State the just annual rent therefor and such premium, if any is required by the State Government, as may be just:Provided that if the value of the land has been increased by means of any improvement made (otherwise than at the expense of the State) while the land was reserved for federal purposes, the increase shall not be taken into consideration in determining the market value, rent or premium for the purposes of this Clause.
  3. Where a requirement is made under Clause (1) in respect of any land which, at the date of the requirement, was intended for any State purpose, then if-
    1. other land is acquired by the State for that purpose in substitution for the first mentioned land; and
    2. the cost of the land so acquired exceeds the amount paid by the Federation (otherwise than as rent) in accordance with Clause (2) in respect of the interest granted to the Federation,

    the Federation shall pay to the State such sum as may be just in respect of the excess.

  4. Where a further grant is made in pursuance of this Article in respect of land an interest in which is vested in the Federation or any public authority, any sums payable by way of premium under Clause (2) in respect of the further grant shall be reduced by an amount equal to the market value of any improvements made (otherwise than at the expense of the State) since that interest became vested as aforesaid.
  5. The foregoing provisions of this Article (except Clause (3)) shall apply in relation to alienated land as they apply in relation to land not being alienated land, but subject to the following modifications:
    1. in Clause (1), the words “after consultation with the State Government” shall be omitted;
    2. where a requirement is made under that Clause, it shall be the duty of the State Government to cause to be acquired by agreement or compulsorily such interest in the land as may be necessary for complying with the requirement;
    3. any expenses incurred by the State in or in connection with the acquisition of land in accordance with paragraph (b) shall be repaid by the Federation, except that if the acquisition is by agreement the Federation shall not, unless it is party to the agreement, be liable to pay more than it would have paid on a compulsory acquisition;
    4. any sum paid by the Federation to the State in accordance with paragraph (c) shall be taken into consideration in determining for the purposes of Clause (2) the market value, the appropriate quit rent or the just annual rent, and shall be deducted from any premium to be paid by the Federation under that Clause.
  6. Where a grant is made to the Federation in pursuance of Clause (1) in respect of land which, or an interest in which, was acquired by the State Government at the expense of the Government of the Federation of Malaya before Merdeka Day, paragraph (d) of Clause (5) shall apply to the sums paid in respect of the acquisition by the Government of the Federation of Malaya as if they were sums paid by the Federation in accordance with paragraph (c) of Clause (5); and Clause (3) shall not apply to any such land.
  7. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the reservation of land in a State for federal purposes on such terms and conditions as may be agreed between the Federal Government and the Government of the State, or affect the power of the appropriate authority in a State to acquire in accordance with any law for the time being in force any alienated land for federal purposes without a requirement by the Federal Government under this Article.
  8. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the making of a grant of land in a State to the Federation, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed between the Federal Government and the Government of the State, without a requirement by the Federal Government under this Article.

84. Repealed

85. Grant to Federation of land reserved for federal purposes

  1. Where any land in a State is reserved for any federal purposes, the Federal Government may require the State Government, and it shall then be the duty of that Government, to cause to be made to the Federation a grant of the land in perpetuity without restrictions as to the use of the land, but subject to the payment of a premium to be determined in accordance with Clause (2) and to the payment annually of an appropriate quit rent.
  2. The premium referred to in Clause (1) shall be equal to the market value of the land reduced by-
    1. the market value of any improvements made (otherwise than at the expense of the State) while the land was in use for federal purposes; and
    2. the amount, if any, paid by the Federation, or paid before Merdeka Day by the Government of the Federation of Malaya, in respect of the cost of acquisition of any interest in the land by the State Government.
  3. Without prejudice to Clause (1), where any land in a State is reserved for any federal purposes, the Federal Government may offer to release the land to the State on condition that the State pays to the Federation the market value and the amount mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause (2); and if the State Government accepts the offer the reservation shall cease.
  4. Except as provided by this Article, land in a State which is reserved for federal purposes shall not cease to be so reserved, and all land so reserved shall be controlled and managed by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and the Federal Government may grant any right of occupation, control or management, or a tenancy or lease, of the whole or any part of such land, to any person-
    1. for the use of the land by such person for any duration for the federal purpose for which it is reserved, or for any purpose ancillary or incidental thereto; or
    2. where the Federal Government is unable for any reason to use the land for the time being for the federal purpose for which it is reserved, for its use by such person for any purpose other than a federal purpose, for such duration and on such terms and conditions as the Federal Government may determine.
  5. In this Article the reference to land in a State reserved for federal purposes includes-
    1. any land which was reserved before Merdeka Day in accordance with the provisions of any law then in force in the State for any purpose which has become a federal purpose after Merdeka Day;
    2. any land reserved for any federal purpose after Merdeka Day in accordance with the provisions of any law for the time being in force in a State;
    3. any State land referred to in the repealed Clause (4) of Article 166; and
    4. any land in a State reserved for federal purposes by virtue of Clause (7) of Article 83.

86. Disposition of land vested in the Federation

  1. Where any interest in land is vested in the Federation, or in a public authority, for any purpose, the Federation or the public authority may dispose of that interest or any smaller interest in the land to any person as it deems fit.
  2. Where any interest in land in a State is disposed of by or to the Federation or any public authority in pursuance of this Article or of Article 85, it shall be the duty of the Government of that State to register the transaction accordingly.

87. Determination of disputes as to land values

  1. Where any dispute arises between the Federal Government and a State Government as to the making of any payment by or to the Federation under the foregoing Articles of this Chapter, or as to the amount of any such payment, the dispute shall be referred, at the instance either of the Federal Government or of the State Government, to the Lands Tribunal appointed in accordance with this Article.
  2. The Lands Tribunal shall consist of-
    1. a chairman, who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Federal Court and who shall be, or have been, or be qualified to be a judge of the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal or a High Court, or shall before Malaysia Day have been a judge of the Federal Court;
    2. a member who shall be appointed by the Federal Government; and
    3. a member who shall be appointed by the State Government.
  3. The practice and procedure of the Lands Tribunal shall be regulated by rules of court framed by the Rules Committee or other authority having power under written law to make rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of the Federal Court.
  4. An appeal shall lie from the Lands Tribunal to the Federal Court on any question of law.

88. Application of Articles 83 to 87 to States not having a Ruler

In their application to any of the States not having a Ruler, Articles 83 to 87 shall have effect-

  1. subject to such adaptations (if any) as Parliament may by law provide, being adaptations required to secure that they apply (as nearly as practicable having regard to differences in the system of land tenure) in the same manner as they apply to other States; and
  2. in the case of the States of Sabah and Sarawak with the omission in Article 83 of paragraph (a) of Clause (5).

89. Malay reservations

  1. Any land in a State which immediately before Merdeka Day was a Malay reservation in accordance with the existing law may continue as a Malay reservation in accordance with that law until otherwise provided by an Enactment of the Legislature of that State, being an Enactment-
    1. passed by a majority of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly and by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting; and
    2. approved by resolution of each House of Parliament passed by a majority of the total number of members of that House and by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the members voting.
  2. Any law made under Clause (1) providing for the forfeiture or reversal to the State Authority, or for the deprivation, of the ownership of any Malay reservation, or of any right or interest therein, on account of any person, or any corporation, company or other body (whether corporate or unincorporate) holding the same ceasing to be qualified or competent under the relevant law relating to Malay reservations to hold the same, shall not be invalid on the ground of inconsistency with Article 13.
  3. Any land in a State which is not for the time being a Malay reservation in accordance with the existing law and has not been developed or cultivated may be declared as a Malay reservation in accordance with that law:Provided that-
    1. where any land in a State is declared a Malay reservation under this Clause, an equal area of land in that State which has not been developed or cultivated shall be made available for general alienation; and
    2. the total area of land in a State for the time being declared as a Malay reservation under this Clause shall not at any time exceed the total area of land in that State which has been made available for general alienation in pursuance of paragraph (a).
  4. Subject to Clause (4), the Government of any State may, in accordance with the existing law, declare as a Malay reservation-
    1. any land acquired by that Government by agreement for that purpose;
    2. on the application of the proprietor, and with the consent of every person having a right or interest therein, any other land,

    and shall, in accordance with the existing law, immediately declare as a Malay reservation, in a case where any land ceases to be a Malay reservation, any other land of a similar character and of an area not exceeding the area of that land.

  5. Nothing in this Article shall authorise the declaration as a Malay reservation of any land which at the time of the declaration is owned or occupied by a person who is not a Malay or in or over which such a person has then any right or interest.
  6. Without prejudice to Clause (3), the Government of any State may, in accordance with law, acquire land for the settlement of Malays or other communities, and establish trusts for that purpose.
  7. In this Article “Malay reservation” means land reserved for alienation to Malays or to natives of the State in which it lies; and “Malay” includes any person who, under the law of the State in which he is resident, is treated as a Malay for the purposes of the reservation of land.
  8. Subject to Article 161A, this Article shall have effect notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution; but (without prejudice to any such other provision) no land shall be retained or declared as a Malay reservation except as provided by this Article and Article 90.
  9. The provisions of this Article shall apply to the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya in the like manner that they apply to a State, save that Clause (1) in its application to the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya shall be modified to read that any land or the Federal Territory of Putrajaya which immediately before Merdeka Day was a Malay reservation in accordance with the existing law may continue as a Malay reservation in accordance with that law until otherwise provided by an Act of Parliament passed by a majority of the total number of members of each House of Parliament and by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting in each House.

90. Special provisions relating to customary land in Negeri Sembilan and Malacca, and Malay holdings in Terengganu

  1. Nothing in this Constitution shall affect the validity of any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer or lease of customary land in the State of Negeri Sembilan or the State of Malacca, or of any interest in such land.
  2. For the purpose of Clause (1)-
    1. “transfer” includes any charge, transmission or vesting, or creation of any lien or trust, or entry of any caveat, or any other form of dealing or disposal of whatever description or nature; and
    2. “lease” includes any tenancy of whatever form or duration.
  3. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the existing law in the State of Terengganu with respect to Malay holdings shall continue in force until otherwise provided by an Enactment of the Legislature of that State passed and approved as described in Clause (1) of Article 89.
  4. Any such Enactment of the Legislature of the State of Terengganu may make provision for Malay reservations corresponding with the existing law in force in any other State of a Ruler; and in that event the said Article 89 shall have effect in relation to Terengganu subject to the following modifications, that is to say:
    1. in Clause (1), for the reference to land which immediately before Merdeka Day was a Malay reservation in accordance with the existing law, there shall be substituted a reference to land which, immediately before the passing of the said Enactment, was a Malay holding; and
    2. subject as aforesaid, any reference to the existing law shall be construed as a reference to the said Enactment.

91. National Land Council

  1. There shall be a National Land Council consisting of a Minister as chairman, one representative from each of the States, who shall be appointed by the Ruler or Yang di- Pertua Negeri, and such number of representatives of the Federal Government as that Government may appoint but, subject to Clause (5) of Article 95E, the number of representatives of the Federal Government shall not exceed ten.
  2. The chairman may vote on any question before the National Land Council but shall not have a casting vote.
  3. The National Land Council shall be summoned to meet by the chairman as often as he considers necessary but there shall be at least one meeting in every year.
  4. If the chairman or a representative of a State or of the Federal Government is unable to attend a meeting, the authority by whom he was appointed may appoint another person to take his place at that meeting.
  5. It shall be the duty of the National Land Council to formulate from time to time in consultation with the Federal Government, the State Governments and the National Finance Council a national policy for the promotion and control of the utilisation of land throughout the Federation for mining, agriculture, forestry or any other purpose, and for the administration of any laws relating thereto; and the Federal and State Governments shall follow the policy so formulated.
  6. The Federal Government or the Government of any State may consult the National Land Council in respect of any other matter relating to the utilisation of land or in respect of any proposed legislation dealing with land or of the administration of any such law, and it shall be the duty of the National Land Council to advise that Government on any such matters.

Chapter 5. National development

92. National development plan

  1. If, after a recommendation from an expert committee and after consultation with the National Finance Council, the National Land Council and the Government of any State concerned, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied that it is conducive to the national interest that a development plan be put into operation in any area or areas in one or more of the States, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may, after publishing the plan, proclaim the area or areas as a development area; and thereupon Parliament shall have power to give effect to the development plan or any part thereof, notwithstanding that any of the matters to which the plan relates are matters with respect to which, apart from this Article, only States would have power to make laws.
  2. Any Act passed in pursuant of this Article shall recite that it has been so passed and that the provisions of Clause (1) have been complied with; and Article 79 shall not apply to any Bill for such an Act or any amendment to such a Bill.
  3. In this Article, “development plan” means a plan for the development, improvement, or conservation of the natural resources of a development area, the exploitation of such resources, or the increase of means of employment in the area.
  4. Without prejudice to their power under any other Article to require any interest in land to be acquired or granted for federal purposes, the Federal Government may from time to time require the reservation for the purposes of a development plan, to such extent as they may specify, of any land in a development area which is not occupied by private persons; but any diminution, in consequence of the reservation, of the annual revenue received by a State shall be made good to the State by the Federation.
  5. All income received by the Federation through the operation of a development plan shall, subject to Clause (6), be applied-
    1. in the first instance, for the provision of capital and the meeting of working expenses for the development plan;
    2. in the second instance, for the repayment to the Federation of any expenditure, including expenditure under Clause (4), incurred by the Federation in operating the plan; and
    3. as to the balance, for payments to the State in which the development area is situated or, if it is situated in two or more states, to those States in such proportions as the Federal Government may determine.
  6. If it is agreed between the Federal Government and the Government of any State which includes the whole or any part of the development area that any expenditure incurred in operating the development plan is to be met by the State, any expenditure so met shall be repaid to the State and the repayment shall rank pari passu with the repayment to the Federation of any expenditure incurred by the Federation.
  7. Parliament may repeal or amend any Act passed in pursuance of this Article, and for that purpose may make such incidental and consequential provisions as it may consider necessary.
  8. Nothing in this Article shall affect the power of Parliament or of the Legislature of any State-
    1. to impose such taxes or rates as it is authorised to impose under any other provision of this Constitution; or
    2. to make from the Federal Consolidated Fund or the State Consolidated Fund, as the case may be, grants not repayable under Clause (5) or (6),

    except that where, in pursuance of Clause (1), a rate is imposed on any property by federal law which, but for this Article, might have been imposed by State law, no rate of the same kind shall be imposed by State law for any period for which the rate imposed by federal law is payable.

Chapter 6. Federal surveys, advice to States and inspection of State activities

93. Inquiries, surveys and statistics

  1. The Federal Government may conduct such inquiries (whether by Commission or otherwise), authorise such surveys and collect and publish such statistics as it thinks fit, notwithstanding that such inquiries, surveys and collection and publication of statistics relate to a matter with regard to which the Legislature of a State may make laws.
  2. It shall be the duty of the Government of a State, and of all officers and authorities thereof, to assist the Federal Government in the execution of its powers under this Article; and for this purpose the Federal Government may give such directions as it may deem necessary.

94. Federal powers in respect of State subjects

  1. The executive authority of the Federation extends to the conduct of research, the provision and maintenance of experimental and demonstration stations, the giving of advice and technical assistance to the Government of any State, and the provision of education, publicity, and demonstration for the inhabitants of any State, in respect of any of the matters with respect to which the Legislature of a State may make laws; and the agricultural and forestry officers of any State shall accept any professional advice given to the Government of that state under this Clause.
  2. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the existing Departments of Agriculture, Commissioner of Lands, Forestry and Social Welfare may continue to exercise the functions exercised by them immediately before Merdeka Day.
  3. Nothing in this Constitution shall prevent the Federal Government from establishing Ministries or Departments of Government to exercise the functions of the Federal Government under Article 93 and this Article in relation to matters within the legislative authority of a State, and such matters may include soil conservation, local government and town and country planning

95. Inspection of State activities

  1. Subject to Clause (3), in exercising the executive authority of the Federation any officer authorised by the Federal Government may inspect any department or work of a State Government with a view to making a report thereon to the Federal Government.
  2. A report made under this Article shall, if the Federal Government so direct, be communicated to the State Government and laid before the Legislative Assembly of the state.
  3. This Article does not authorise the inspection of any department or work dealing only with or carried on only with respect to matters with the exclusive legislative authority of a State.

Chapter 7. National Council for Local Government

95A. National Council for Local Government

  1. There shall be a National Council for Local Government consisting of a Minister as Chairman, one representative from each of the States, who shall be appointed by the Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri, and such number of representatives of the Federal Government as that Government may appoint but, subject to Clause (5) of Article 95E, the number of representatives of the Federal Government shall not exceed ten.
  2. The Chairman may vote on any question before the National Council for Local Government and shall have a casting vote.
  3. The National Council for Local Government shall be summoned to meet by the Chairman as often as he considers necessary but there shall be at least one meeting in every year.
  4. If the Chairman or a representative of a State or of the Federal Government is unable to attend a meeting, the authority by whom he was appointed may appoint another person to take his place at that meeting.
  5. It shall be the duty of the National Council for Local Government to formulate from time to time in consultation with the Federal Government and the State Governments a national policy for the promotion, development and control of local government throughout the Federation and for the administration of any laws relating thereto; and the Federal and State Governments shall follow the policy so formulated.
  6. It shall also be the duty of the Federal Government and the Government of any State to consult the National Council for Local Government in respect of any proposed legislation dealing with local government and it shall be the duty of the National Council for Local Government to advise those Governments on any such matter.
  7. The Federal Government or the Government of any State may consult the National Council for Local Government in respect of any other matter relating to local government, and it shall be the duty of the National Council for Local Government to advise that Government on any such matter.

Chapter 8. Application to States of Sabah and Sarawak

95B. Modifications for States of Sabah and Sarawak of distribution of legislative powers

  1. In the case of the States of Sabah and Sarawak-
    1. the supplement to List II set out in the Ninth Schedule shall be deemed to form part of the State List, and the matters enumerated therein shall be deemed not to be included in the Federal List or Concurrent List; and
    2. the supplement to List III set out in the Ninth Schedule shall, subject to the State List, be deemed to form part of the Concurrent List, and the matters enumerated therein shall be deemed not to be included in the Federal List (but not so as to affect the construction of the State List, where it refers to the Federal List).
  2. Where by virtue of Clause (1) an item is included in the Concurrent List for a State for a period only, the expiration or termination of that period shall not affect the continued operation of any State law passed by virtue of the item, save as provided by federal or State law.
  3. The Legislature of the State of Sabah or Sarawak may also make laws for imposing sales taxes, and any sales tax imposed by State law in the State of Sabah or Sarawak shall be deemed to be among the matters enumerated in the State List and not in the Federal List; but-
    1. there shall not in the charging or administration of a State sales tax be any discrimination between goods of the same description according to the place in which they originate; and
    2. the charge for any federal sales tax shall be met out of sums collected from a person liable for that tax before the charge for a State sales tax.

95C. Power by order to extend legislative or executive powers of States

  1. Subject to the provisions of any Act of Parliament passed after Malaysia Day, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may by order make as respects any State any such provision as may be made by Act of Parliament-
    1. for authorising the Legislature of the State to make laws as mentioned in Article 76A; or
    2. for extending the executive authority of the State, and the powers or duties of any authority of the State, as mentioned in Clause (4) of Article 80.
  2. An order made by virtue of paragraph (a) of Clause (1) shall not authorise the Legislature of a State to amend or repeal an Act of Parliament passed after Malaysia Day, unless the Act so provides.
  3. Clause (3) of Article 76A and Clause (6) of Article 80 shall apply in relation to an order under paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) respectively of Clause (1) of this Article as they apply in relation to an Act of Parliament.
  4. Where an order under this Article is revoked by a later order, the later order may include provision for continuing in force (generally or to such extent or for such purposes as the order may specify) any State law passed by virtue of the earlier order or any subsidiary legislation made or thing done under any such State law, and from the coming into operation of the later order any State law thereby continued in force shall have effect as federal law:Provided that no provision shall be continued in force by virtue of this Clause if or in so far as it could not have been made by Act of Parliament.
  5. Any order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under this Article shall be laid before each House of Parliament.

95D. Exclusion for States of Sabah and Sarawak of Parliament’s power to pass uniform laws about land or local government

In relation to the State of Sabah or Sarawak, Clause (4) of Article 76 shall not apply, nor shall paragraph (b) of Clause (1) of that Article enable Parliament to make laws with respect to any of the matters mentioned in Clause (4) of that Article.

95E. Exclusion of States of Sabah and Sarawak from national plans for land utilisation, local government, development, etc

  1. In relation to the State of Sabah or Sarawak Articles 91, 92, 94 and 95A shall have effect subject to the following Clauses.
  2. Subject to Clause (5), under Article 91 and under Article 95A the State Government shall not be required to follow the policy formulated by the National Land Council or by the National Council for Local Government, as the case may be, but the representative of the State shall not be entitled to vote on questions before the Council.
  3. Under Article 92 no area in the State shall be proclaimed a development area for the purposes of any development plan without the concurrence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
  4. Under Clause (1) of Article 94 (under which in respect of matters in the State List the Federation may conduct research, give advice and technical assistance, etc.) the agricultural and forestry officers of the State of Sabah or Sarawak shall consider, but shall not be required to accept, professional advice given to the Government of the State.
  5. Clause (2) shall cease to apply to a State-
    1. as regards Article 91, if Parliament so provides with the concurrence of the Yang di- Pertua Negeri; and
    2. as regards Article 95A, if Parliament so provides with the concurrence of the Legislative Assembly,

    but for each representative of the State of Sabah or Sarawak becoming entitled, by virtue of this Clause, to vote on questions before the National Land Council or National Council for Local Government, one shall be added to the maximum number of representatives of the Federal Government on that Council.