SIBU: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth is concerned by the insistence of counsel representing the Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) subsidiaries that only the Federal Attorney General should be allowed to appear in court on the basis that the Federal Attorney General alone acts as the “guardian of public interest”.
SUPP Youth Central Chairman, Kevin Lau said Petronas is wholly owned by the federal government and is ultimately accountable to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance.
“Under such circumstances, serious questions arise as to how the Federal Attorney General can be deemed an independent guardian of public interest when there are clear institutional links between the federal government and Petronas, including its subsidiaries. This raises legitimate concerns over potential conflict of interest and impartiality,” he stated in a statement here Tuesday (Jan 27).
Lau, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan Chairman said the recent court hearing involving Petronas subsidiaries, which challenges the imposition of financial penalties by Sarawak authorities under the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016 — enforced by the Director of Gas Distribution Sarawak — has once again brought into sharp focus the important issue of legal representation and the respective constitutional roles of the Federal Attorney General and the State Attorney General.
Pointing out that Sarawak is not merely a stakeholder in this matter, he said Sarawak is a constitutional entity with its own laws, rights, and regulatory authority as guaranteed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
In matters that directly affect Sarawak’s jurisdiction, regulatory powers, and state interests, he said Sarawak must be represented by the State Attorney General, not the Federal Attorney General.
The State Attorney General, he added, is constitutionally mandated to safeguard the legal position and interests of Sarawak.
He noted that allowing federal representation in disputes involving state rights risks blurring accountability and creates potential conflicts of interest, especially when federal-linked entities are parties to the dispute.
This issue, he explained, is not about confrontation but about clarity, good governance, and respecting constitutional boundaries.
“It is also our hope that the legal fraternity in Sarawak will stand in solidarity to safeguard Sarawak’s legal position in all matters that affect state jurisdiction.
“Respecting this principle strengthens federalism and upholds the rule of law to protect Sarawak’s long-term interests. The federal government should guide Petronas to work constructively with the Sarawak Government and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) , as continued legal challenges will only deepen trust deficits and undermine cooperative federalism,” Lau added.
