Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said if the Santubong MP was not pleased with the composition of the committee or it was not doing enough for Sabah and Sarawak, he could always submit a proposal as the current government was open to suggestions.

“We have no problem because the government is constantly listening to the people,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Wan Junaidi during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

Wan Junaidi had earlier questioned the small number of representatives from Sabah and Sarawak in the committee.

Elaborating, Hanipa said although the number of representatives from Sabah and Sarawak was seen to be few, those in the committee had the power to make important decisions.

“Maybe the number is small but they have the authority and can make decisions. There is no point having so many representatives but they can’t make decisions,” he said.

On Oct 10, the government announced the establishment of the steering committee comprising 15 members headed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Among the members were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal, Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali and Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

The committee is expected to meet in about a month in Putrajaya to determine the direction on MA63.