MIRI: Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii says Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) accusations regarding negotiations between the state and federal government on oil and gas (O&G) rights were not only taken out of context but also deliberately misleading, attempting to confuse Sarawakians.
“First and foremost, the claim that ‘Sarawak is surrendering its oil sovereignty’ is completely misleading and severely overlooks the win-win outcome that the state government has achieved in securing greater benefits for the region.
“The truth is that through negotiations, the state government has ensured that the region’s resources generate greater benefits for the Sarawak while also fostering a partnership between Petronas and Petros to jointly develop Sarawak’s oil and gas industry,” he said.
Yii added that specifically, the agreement reached between the stat and federal government ensures that Sarawak maintains a leading position in the O&G industry.
“Rather than making concessions, the state government has, in fact, strengthened its control over the sector through negotiations.
“This control is crucial in ensuring that Sarawak continues to benefit from its natural resources in the long run and lays a solid foundation for the region’s future development,” he added.
He then questioned what DAP Sarawak has done and instead of supporting Sarawak’s interests, they (DAP) chose to stand in opposition to the Sarawak, misleading the public for political gain and sowing division among Sarawakians.
“This is what the Sarawakian should truly be questioning. Even more ironic, while they criticise the state goovernment, they remain silent on the performance of their own DAP MP in Parliament.
“The question is: as part of the federal government, what has DAP Sarawak fought for in Parliament? When Pakatan Harapan (PH) was in power, did DAP Sarawak ever push for amendments to the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974)? The answer is clearly no,” he added.
Yii said it is important to note that the fight for Sarawak’s autonomy is ongoing, and the outcome is not yet determined.
“Yet, Sarawak DAP is quick to declare that the Sarawak Government has “surrendered,” further proving that they are taking a stance against Sarawak’s interests.
“Sarawakians must understand that to win a great war, we do not need to win every single battle; what matters is continuous progress.
“There are still many battles ahead, and until the very end, no one knows who will be the final victor. If DAP truly cares about Sarawak’s rights, they should fight in Parliament, not attacking the state government,” he added.
Yii reaffirmed that the state government remains steadfast in its “Sarawak First” stance, ensuring that the region receives its rightful entitlements rather than engaging in superficial political rhetoric.
“The negotiations over O&G rights are a complex process that cannot be resolved overnight.
“However, the state government has a clear direction and strategy to ensure that the results are in Sarawak’s best interests.
“The achievements made at the negotiation table will not be diminished by any party’s misleading claims or smears. Time will ultimately prove everything,” Yii concluded.
