SIBU: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth has firmly expressed its support for the Sarawak government’s position in safeguarding the state’s rights and strengthening the role of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) as Sarawak’s oil and gas company.
SUPP Youth Central chairman Cr Kevin Lau Kor Jie said any long-term solution must respect Sarawak’s autonomy, uphold the spirit and provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and recognise Sarawak as an equal partner in the Federation of Malaysia.
“I take note of the announcement by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) on its application to the Federal Court seeking clarity on the regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak.
“While Petronas claims that this move is not intended to challenge Sarawak’s development aspirations or the role of Petros, the fact remains that Sarawak’s rights over its natural resources are clearly provided for under the MA63 and the Federal Constitution,” he said in a statement issued here on Tuesday (Jan 13).
Lau said that although the move has been framed as a legal clarification, and despite related issues already being before the High Court, the latest action by Petronas reflects an unwillingness to fully acknowledge and comply with Sarawak’s constitutional and legal position in regulating its own resources.
This includes recognising Petros as the sole aggregator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) extracted from Sarawak, he added.
Lau, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan Branch chairman, stressed that Sarawak is not opposed to cooperation with Petronas.
In fact, he said Sarawak has consistently demonstrated its willingness to work together through commercial arrangements, joint ventures and transitional frameworks.
However, he said such cooperation must be based on the recognition of Sarawak’s regulatory authority and must not come at the expense of the state’s constitutional rights.
Petronas, he added, operates as a legal entity created by statute under the Petroleum Development Act 1974, where the authority of the company ultimately lies with the prime minister pursuant to Section 3(2) of the Act.
He opined that the legal challenge could be resolved if Petronas accepts Sarawak’s regulatory authority and recognises Petros as the sole gas aggregator in Sarawak.
“The motion filed by Petronas at the Federal Court may also be perceived as a disguised challenge to Sarawak laws and state authority.
“In this regard, SUPP Youth urges all Members of Parliament from Sarawak, especially those from DAP who form a major component of the current federal government, to stand firm in defending Sarawak’s rights and to urge the prime minister to fully recognise Sarawak’s authority and the role of Petros as the sole gas aggregator in Sarawak.”
