SIBU: Sarawak United People Party (SUPP) Youth’s call for all Sarawak Members of Parliament (MPs) – especially DAP MPs, who form a major component of the federal government – to stand united in defending Sarawak’s rights is not an attack on any party.
Stating this, SUPP Youth Central Chairman, Cr Kevin Lau Kor Jie, pointed out that it is a call for accountability and responsibility, which Sarawakians rightfully expect from their elected representatives.
“I am surprised and disappointed by the response from the Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sarawak’s Secretary, George Lam, to my call urging DAP MPs to play a more proactive role in defending Sarawak’s rights.
“His statement appears more focused on deflecting responsibility than delivering meaningful outcomes for Sarawak. Ironically, his remarks also acknowledge that the 23 Sarawak MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) remain the main driving force in advancing and safeguarding Sarawak’s rights,” Lau said in a press statement issued here on Friday.
Lau, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan Chairman, asserted that it is evident that DAPSY’s statement diverts attention from the real and urgent issue – Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (PETRONAS) recent announcement that it has applied to the Federal Court for clarification on the regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak.
This move, according to him, can reasonably be viewed as a disguised challenge to Sarawak’s laws and state authority and it should be the primary concern of all leaders, who genuinely stand up for Sarawak’s rights.
SUPP, he added, as part of the GPS coalition, has never shied away from asserting Sarawak’s rights.
“Our position has always been consistent: Sarawak’s ownership and regulatory authority over its resources must be respected in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Federal Constitution and Sarawak laws.
“It was GPS MPs who prevented the first constitutional amendment bill from being rushed through the Dewan Rakyat in 2019 and insisted that it be referred to a Parliamentary Select Committee for thorough review and discussion to ensure all aspects of MA63 were adequately addressed.
“Subsequently, the constitutional amendment to restore MA63’s equal status was led by the then Law Minister and our current Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and was successfully passed in 2021,” he stated.
Furthermore, Lau further pointed out that the GPS government under the leadership of the Premier of Sarawak took decisive action by enforcing the Gas Distribution Ordinance (GDO) 2016 – a key assertion of Sarawak’s authority over gas distribution within the state.
This ordinance, he stressed, regulates the distribution, supply and retail of gas in Sarawak and requires companies to obtain licences from the Sarawak Government.
In addition, Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS) has been designated as the state gas aggregator under Sarawak law, Lau said, adding that these are concrete actions, not political rhetoric.
He said, while DAP Sarawak may continue to raise historical narratives, what matters most today is courage, sincerity and responsibility in safeguarding Sarawak’s interests.
“We should also not forget that following the change of the federal government in 2018, PETRONAS took the Sarawak Government to court over regulatory authority and the imposition of State Sales Tax (SST).
“At that time, the federal government led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with Lim Guan Eng as Finance Minister, opposed PETRONAS paying SST to Sarawak.
“It was only after Sarawak succeeded in court that PETRONAS eventually complied. Today, PETRONAS is once again pursuing legal action involving Sarawak laws and PETROS as the sole gas aggregator. Where were the strong voices of DAP then – and where are they now?
“It is time to demonstrate true leadership by pushing meaningful reforms within the federal government. We must not lose sight of the bigger picture and the serious risks posed to Sarawak’s laws and authority under the guise of legal clarification,” he said.
Lau added that Sarawak deserves unity, firmness and concrete action – not political deflection.
