MIRI, Sept 7: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) members were told that the next state election is a “do-or-die” matter for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS); hence they must brace themselves for the polls now and not to be “complacent” to ensure GPS remained in power.
Its Women chief, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said, “We have two more years before the election. So prepare and work hard within your respective constituencies.
“Do not be complacent. It’s a matter of do-or-die. Find issues and solve them: Don’t wait until election comes to solve issues.”
The Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development said this during a talk on the Oil Mining Ordinance (OM) 1958 and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) for some 200 PBB Bekenu Branch members here yesterday.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Assistant Minister for Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus and Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
Rosey told those present that the talk was to enlighten the people on the importance of the OMO58 and MA63 to the state. She reckoned that with greater understanding of the issue at hand, Sarawakians’ love for the state would be enhanced.
During the two-hour talk, Sharifah Hashidah said the OMO58 stipulates that all oil and gas industry players in Sarawak, including Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), should comply with it.
She asserted that the state government could gain revenue from licences or permits imposed on all these players.
“With this revenue, we can use it for development of basic facilities, especially in the rural areas, without having to cling to the decisions made by the federal government,” she added.
“The OMO58 clearly states Sarawak’s authority and power to regulate the oil mining industry,” she stressed.
Sharifah Hasidah had led eight experts, including lawyers, to London for a week-long fact-finding mission from July 16 last year on the MA63.
“In December last year, based on Petronas data, 41 production sharing blocks (exploration and development from oil and gas field) or PSC are available on the Sarawak border,” she said.
Hence, she called on all Sarawakians to give their undivided support to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and GPS to fight for Sarawak’s rights. — DayakDaily
