Azmin: Federal Government contravened Act 172, violates State Government’s power

BY: NAZLI IBRAHIM
KUALA LUMPUR, OCT 20: The Federal Government’s proposal in Dewan Rakyat to amend Act 172 is being questioned by Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
He said, the Federal Government itself has never fulfilled its obligations to consult the State Government before approving any development activity in the state.
“For example, when the Federal Government approved the concessionaire company to build KIDEX highway, they did not consult the State Government, when it is clearly stated in the Act 172 Section 20(A) whereby the Federal Government must discuss with the State Government on any development activities they plan to carry out in the state.
“Hence, why should the Federal Government come to the Dewan Rakyat today, seeking to add one more condition to consult them,” he said.

Mohamed Azmin said that on October 19 when debating on the 2016 Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill, which was read for the second time in the Dewan Rakyat, Parliament House, here.
“What advise is needed when there are no consultations; they pressed and shoved the State Government with various proposals to enrich Umno and Barisan Nasional cronies particularly ahead of the coming election,” added the Gombak Member of Parliament.
He said that the Federal’s irresponsible action is akin to violating the powers of a State Government as provided in Act 172.
He stated that the addition of ‘duty to consult’ in Section 20(B) must be clarified in advance and not just adding a general and vague statement.
“I would like to recommend that the clause should be clarified in detail, as it is not clear as to what scale of development that the State Government would need to consult the National Physical Planning Council. It is just a new clause which is too general which requires the State Government to seek advise. However the scale and duration of projects which fall under this provision is not stated,” he added.
Mohamed Azmin said further that it is worse when the National Physical Planning Council only convenes three times a year, which would make it difficult for the State Government to carry out its new development projects.