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KUCHING, Sept 12: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should not allow former federal minister Dato Mohd Zaid Ibrahim and Malaya to bully Sarawak on its oil and gas (O&G) claim, says social activist Alim GA Mideh.
Alim, who is the co-founder of Bulang Birieh Dayak focusing on Dayak culture and rights, was referring to Zaid’s statement dated August 23, who dared Malaya leaders to engage Sarawak on the State’s claim on the six oil wells found off Sarawak’s coast.
Alim said former Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) chief executive officer Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin confirmed in 2017 that Petronas pumps 850,000 barrels of oil and gas worth over RM280 million a month, or over RM110 billion a year, from within the three nautical miles of Sarawak’s territorial waters.
However, Sarawak was only given about RM5 billion every year.
“With this amount, how is Sarawak going to get out from being one of the poorest in Malaysia?” he said in a statement today.
Alim further argued that Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 was enacted during the emergency, but the emergency was lifted by former prime minister Dato Seri Najib Razak in 2011.
“Therefore, it (PDA74) can no longer be enforced in Sarawak and her territorial waters.
“Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also said that it (PDA74) is not enforceable in January 2019,” he added.
Alim also mentioned that all laws passed in Parliament concerning Sarawak must be endorsed by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“However, PDA74 was never endorsed by the DUN. It was merely signed by the then Chief Minister as a fellow Bangsa Sarawak.
“Therefore, the GPS government should call the DUN back from recess and pass legislation to declare PDA74 null and void,” he explained.
Alim also said Zaid cannot just compare the rights of Australian states to that of Sarawak because “before there was Federation of Malaya, there was already a sovereign Kingdom of Sarawak”.
“Sarawak is an equal partner with Malaya, Sabah, and Singapore (before its departure) in forming the Federation of Malaysia,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
