By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 11: The federal government has clarified PETRONAS’ position and operations in Sarawak through Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s response in Parliament, and any suggestion otherwise by Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang and SUPP Women chief Kho Teck Wan implies a serious accusation of misrepresentation.
Michael Kong, special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said that since the federal government has provided its explanation, it is now the Sarawak government’s turn to clarify its position.
“The recent parliamentary revelation by Azalina has confirmed a crucial fact— the Sarawak government has once again recognised the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74) and effectively conceded that PETRONAS does not require additional licensing to operate in Sarawak.
“Instead of addressing this core issue, Lo and Kho have attempted to deflect by attacking Chong for questioning the Sarawak government’s stance. Their claim that clarification should come solely from the federal government is baseless and misleading,” he said in a statement today.
Kong stressed that instead of making unfounded attacks, Lo and Kho should push the Sarawak government to provide a clear explanation on key issues:
- Did the Sarawak government formally recognise PDA74 again? If so, why the sudden shift despite its previous firm opposition?
- Why does PETRONAS now have unrestricted rights to operate in Sarawak without additional state licensing, when Sarawak had previously asserted full control over its mining rights? What changed?
- What did Sarawak gain in this settlement in exchange for conceding to PDA74 and relinquishing its role as the aggregator for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)?
Rather than beating around the bush, Kong emphasised that the Sarawak government owes the people a clear and honest answer.
“The people of Sarawak deserve transparency, not blind defenses and political spin. If Sarawak government is confident that it acted in Sarawak’s best interest, then it should have no issue providing a straightforward explanation,” he concluded.
Both Lo and Kho questioned why Chong, as a federal MP, senior Pakatan Harapan (PH) politician, member of the unity government, and an experienced lawyer, has not used his federal influence to fight for Sarawak’s rights. — DayakDaily
