There are 113 laws that either need to be repealed or amended to fulfil the Pakatan Harapan manifesto, said de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong.

They include the Labour Ordinance (Sabah Chapter 67) to implement 90-day maternity leave, the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 to raise the age of consent to 18 years and Section 88A of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act to prevent the unilateral conversion of children.

“Aside from that, I also believe that the creation of a Law Reform Commission would abolish the draconian laws of this nation to ensure it is administered with the rule of law,” he told lawmakers at the closing of a law conference in Kota Kinabalu this evening.

Also present at the event was Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal.

To help business owners access the “business-friendly” policies pledged by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Liew said further amendments would be made to the Competition Act 2010, Companies Act 2016 and the Financial Services Act 2013.

Legal remnants from the British colonial days would also be be amended, Liew said.

They include Sabah’s Trades Licensing Ordinance 1948 that currently requires state business owners to register with local councils and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 that does not require ships planning to navigate Malaysian waters to register beforehand.

Liew said Putrajaya will form a special taskforce with the Sabah government to improve trade and business between the two regions.

For Sabahans, Liew said the Pakatan Harapan government is committed to reforming the state’s native courts and improving native rights.

He added that the PH government is committed to the devolution of powers via the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Special Federal Cabinet Committee formed on October 10 and headed by Dr Mahathir. – November 16, 2018.