KUCHING: Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 And State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali has dismissed claims by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong that Sarawak betrayed its rights over petroleum resources.
Describing the allegations as “malicious falsehood to the extreme,” Hasidah said Yong’s remarks were merely a political stunt aimed at provoking public unrest.
She saidthe Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has always defended Sarawak’s rights and autonomy, particularly over its natural resources.
“Our stance has always been that both federal and state laws must be respected and must co-exist.
“The Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 and the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (DGO 2016) are both in force, but this does not mean — and we have never said — that the PDA 1974 is absolute.
“The PDA 1974, like any other laws, is still subject to the Federal Constitution,” she said in a statement today (Feb 22).
She added under Item 8(j) of the Federal List of the Federal Constitution, the federal government’s control over petroleum is still subject to Item 2(c) of the State List, which grants Sarawak authority over land and its natural resources — including prospecting licences, mining leases, and certificates.
“This fundamental constitutional structure remains unchanged, and the GPS government has never said that PDA 1974 cancels or overrides Sarawak’s laws or rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” she said.
In contrast to Yong’s statement, Hasidah said Sarawak has made significant progress in reclaiming its rights over petroleum in recent years.
“Since 2020, Sarawak has regained full control over onshore mining. A mining lease has been issued under the Oil Mining Ordinance of Sarawak to Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) to explore for and produce petroleum in the Adong Kechik West area of Miri oil production will begin in a few months’ time.
“This will mark the first time in over 50 years that oil production is taking place on land in Sarawak,” she said.
She added that before PETROS was established, Sarawak had no equity in any offshore oil and gas fields.
“Today, PETROS has equity in five oil and gas producing blocks in the Continental Shelf and is the third largest oil and gas company in Malaysia and has an annual revenue of RM4 billion per annum.
“PETROS will continue to grow, as it is involved in oil and gas explorations in offshore blocks and potentially will spearhead the development of rich gas reserves in the waters of western Sarawak.
“All these facts show that the GPS government is regaining inalienable rights over its oil and gas resources, PDA notwithstanding,” she said.
In the downstream activities, she mentioned Sarawak will control the distribution of gas in the state through the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, 2016.
“The GPS government will ensure that our gas resources will be used sustainably because the current trend of exporting 94 per cent of the natural gas produced in the state is not a sustainable use of depleting resources.
“We have been assured of at least 1.2bmmsfd of gas to support the State Gas Roadmap which would enable the State to attract more foreign investments, support greater power generation and to propel Sarawak to be the clean energy hub of ASEAN as announced by the Prime Minister,” she said.
Hasidah stressed that the GPS government’s actions clearly demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding Sarawak’s rights.
“These efforts show that the GPS government has not — and will never — betray the people of Sarawak,” she said.
