THE Sabah legislative assembly unanimously approved an amendment to the Mining Ordinance 1960 to allow the state government to better manage its mineral resources. 

Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said the amendment was in line changes made to the Sabah Land Ordinance last month. 

The legislative assembly previously amended the Land Ordinance to extend the state’s territorial rights up to the continental shelf. 

The move will see Sabah inch closer towards imposing a tax on minerals. 

“The amendment will see Sabah better able to control its revenue from minerals. 

“Several investors have bought land and mine in our state, so, in this instance, the law will empower the state to defend its rights in the areas of mining,” he said during a special assembly sitting today. 

Sabah aims to emulate Sarawak in imposing a 5% tax on all petroleum products beginning next year. – December 13, 2018.