KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has reaffirmed Sarawak’s commitment to maintaining a harmonious relationship with the federal government while ensuring that the state’s constitutional rights over its oil and gas resources are upheld.
He stressed that Sarawak’s legal position on resource ownership was clear under the Federal Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), adding that any extraction of oil and gas must first receive state approval.
“We don’t want to fight. I’m just saying, follow what’s stated in the law. Gas aggregator, it’s indeed because the land is under the state.
“This is the rule of law. Before you extract our gas, you must first say assalamualaikum to Sarawak,” he said, using an analogy to explain the state’s authority.
“If you come to my house, you must first greet me before entering. If I don’t open the door, then you cannot come in. The same applies to our oil and gas resources.”
He said this when delivering his closing speech at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) 16th Triennial General Meeting at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday (Feb 16).
Abang Johari, who is the party president, assured that discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had resulted in the recognition of Sarawak’s rights, including Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) as the state’s gas aggregator.
His remarks were in response to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who recently called on him to clarify an alleged agreement with the federal government that could undermine the state’s control over its oil and gas resources.
These concerns stemmed from a parliamentary reply by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, which indicated Sarawak had acknowledged the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) as the primary legislation governing petroleum operations, sidelining state laws.
“I find Azalina’s statement less accurate. Let me continue negotiating directly with the Prime Minister,” said Abang Johari to the media.
He stressed Sarawak was now well-informed about its legal rights and that it would not be overlooked as in the past, saying, “Lewat juak paloi saya nak nyerah semua (I am not foolish enough to give everything away).”
Abang Johari reiterated that while Sarawak remained open to negotiations, its rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal and State Constitution must be respected.
“PBB is a party that abides by the law. We follow the law and therefore, PBB must continue to fight to defend the rights enshrined in MA63,” he said.
