Chief to be stripped of arbitrary powers

Chief to be stripped of arbitrary powers

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has announced moves to curb the powers of Sabah state's chief minister, and unveiled bills to cut the state leader's authority over land, forestry and mining, reports said yesterday.

If the amendments are voted through, the chief minister of the resource-rich state will no longer be able to enter into agreements in those sectors without his cabinet's approval.

The state's newly-appointed chief minister, Yong Teck Lee, described the amendments as "good for the government," as he dismissed talk the bills would hand more power to federal authorities in Kuala Lumpur.

Yong, who took over the helm of the eastern state late last month, said the amendments would allow more power sharing with the state cabinet.