KUCHING: The establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS) and its role as the sole gas aggregator are consistent with the state’s push to assert greater control over its resources.
In stating this, Kota Sentosa Assemblyman, Wilfred Yap Sau Sin, said the fact is oil and gas found within Sarawak’s territory are part of the state’s natural wealth.
“PETROS is not a threat to the Federation but a legitimate expression of Sarawak’s constitutional rights,” he said in a statement today.
He was responding to former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Parliamentary Affairs), Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim, who suggested that PETROS should not be entrusted with the role of sole gas aggregator in Sarawak.
“With due respect, such views not only disregard the constitutional and historical position of Sarawak within Malaysia but also risk undermining the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the rights of Sarawakians over our own resources,” Yap said.
He further said the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO) was enacted before the formation of Malaysia, and continues to affirm Sarawak’s ownership and regulatory authority over oil and gas within its boundaries.
“This is not an act of secession or hostility towards the Federation, but an act of fairness to ensure that Sarawak’s people are no longer short-changed,” he said.
On claims that PETROS undermines Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (PETRONAS) commercial competitiveness, Yap said it was misleading.
“PETRONAS has for decades enjoyed an exclusive monopoly under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA), an Act that itself has been challenged in legitimacy as it was never ratified by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly nor entrenched under MA63.
“Far from weakening PETRONAS, PETROS’ role ensures that commercial dealings in Sarawak’s gas industry are transparent, fair, and directly beneficial to the people of Sarawak.
“PETRONAS remains a national champion with vast resources, international partnerships, and global reach. To suggest that its competitiveness is threatened by Sarawak simply reclaiming its rightful role is unconvincing,” he said.
On Zahid’s claims that Sarawak’s demands were “illegal”, Yap said Sarawak never ceded ownership of its oil and gas.
“MA63 guarantees Sarawak’s special rights, including immigration control, and the autonomy to safeguard its economic interests.
“To argue for a review of Sarawak’s immigration autonomy – on the grounds of facilitating Petronas operations – is an affront to the very foundation of federalism and a dismissal of the safeguards agreed upon at the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
On the notion that Sarawak’s annual demand for fairer revenue share, including the RM10 billion claim, Yap said this is exactly why Sarawak is pushing strongly to realign the relationship with Putrajaya.
“Federal law cannot simply override MA63, the Federal Constitution, or the OMO 1958 – they must coexist with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement.
“Sarawak’s demands are not about destabilising the country but about correcting historical imbalances and ensuring equitable development for all Malaysians,” he said.
Yap added that the Premier consistently reminded that Sarawak’s rights under MA63 and the OMO 1958 are not negotiable, and that the oil and gas resources are managed in a way that prioritises Sarawak’s future generations.
“This is the guiding principle behind PETROS’ role and Sarawak’s position in ongoing discussions with the federal government and PETRONAS,” he reiterated.
To paint PETROS and Sarawak’s pursuit of resource rights as “political bargaining” is a disservice to Sarawakians.
“The people of Sarawak have waited for decades to see justice in resource sharing. PETROS is not about politics; it is about dignity, fairness, and development for Sarawak.
“True national unity can only be achieved when every partner in the Federation is treated with respect and equity,” he said.
He further stressed Sarawakians must not be misled by narratives that seek to preserve the status quo at the expense of the state.
“PETROS is here to safeguard Sarawak’s future and ensure that our oil and gas wealth benefits our people first, while still contributing to national prosperity,” said Yap.
