by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 19: Senators from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) stressed that Sarawak’s claim to regain full rights to oil and gas resources is based on historical facts and valid legislation in the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Senator Dato Ahmad Ibrahim pointed out that before Sarawak joined Malaysia in 1963, the State already had full control over its oil and gas resources, as evidenced by the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO 1958), which gave Sarawak exclusive rights to control, manage, and grant oil and gas exploration licences within its territory.
He also highlighted that Sarawak adopted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1954, which defined the State’s continental shelf limit at 200 nautical miles.
“On the contrary, Malaya at that time did not have any laws related to hydrocarbons because there were no oil and gas exploration activities in its waters and this proves that Sarawak already has its own legal framework in managing the state’s natural resources,” he said during a press conference at Parliament here.
This statement was made in response to a news report claiming that Sarawak should stop the dispute over Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) rights to the State’s energy resources.
Ahmad Ibrahim further criticised the Federal government’s action in unilaterally changing Sarawak’s maritime boundaries in 1969, which he said was contrary to the spirit of MA63 and without the consent of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
“After the tragedy of May 13, 1969, the Federal government used emergency powers to limit Sarawak’s maritime boundaries to only three nautical miles through Emergency Ordinance No. 7/1969 on Aug 9, 1969 and Emergency Ordinance No. 10/1969 on Nov 8, 1969.
“This action has taken control of Sarawak’s waters and oil and gas resources without the consent of the state, even though Article 2(b) of the Federal Constitution states that any change to the state boundary must be approved by the State Legislative Assembly and the State Governor,” he said.
He also emphasised that the 1976 agreement, which allegedly saw Sarawak ceding oil rights to Petronas, is invalid under state law as it was never approved by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
GPS further demanded that the Federal government restore Sarawak’s rights to oil and gas, study and reconsider changes to maritime boundaries, and ensure that any negotiations related to natural resources are carried out transparently.
“We emphasise that GPS’ struggle is to uphold justice according to the constitution, and is not merely a power struggle.
“We pledge to continue fighting for Sarawak’s rights until this justice is achieved,” he said.
Other GPS Senators present during the conference include Susan Chemerai Anding, Michael Mujah Lihan, Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, Pele Peter Tinggom and Robert Lau. – DayakDaily
