MIRI: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has lashed out at Miri Member of Parliament, Chiew Choon Man, for defending PETRONAS in the debate over Sarawak’s share of oil and gas revenues.
SUPP Pujut Branch’S Publicity Secretary, Chong Kong Min, said Chiew’s remarks were “shocking and disappointing”, accusing him of echoing federal arguments rather than defending Sarawak’s rights.
“As a Sarawakian, Chiew should have stood firmly for Sarawak,” Chong said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Instead, he has chosen to accept the federal line and made remarks detrimental to Sarawak.”
Chiew had argued that PETRONAS’ heavy operational costs explained why Sarawak receives only 5 per cent in royalties.
Chong rejected that justification, demanding PETRONAS release detailed accounts and disclose the formula for royalty payments.
“Neither PETRONAS nor the federal government has ever cited cost-sharing as the basis for limiting royalties. They have only pointed to the Petroleum Development Act 1974,” Chong said, adding that the law had long been challenged by Sarawak as undermining state rights.
He stressed that Sarawak’s position rested on the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 and the amended Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016, both of which, he said, affirm the state’s jurisdiction over its resources.
Chong also linked the issue to the Malaysia Agreement 1963, under which Sarawak entered the federation as an equal partner.
“This is not an emotional matter but one of law, history and fairness,” he said.
He urged Sarawak DAP to clarify whether it still stood by Pakatan Harapan’s 2018 election pledge to return 20 per cent of oil and gas revenues to Sarawak.
“PKR has stated its position. Now DAP must tell Sarawakians if they still stand by their promise or if they have abandoned it,” he said.
He added that voters in Miri had expected Chiew to speak up for Sarawak in Parliament.
