By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 10: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has slammed certain politicians from Peninsular Malaysia for attempting to falsely link Sarawak’s restored rights to manage gas distribution with the recent retrenchment of approximately 5,000 Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) employees.
Yap described such claims as “irresponsible and misleading,” warning that they reflect either a fundamental misunderstanding or a deliberate distortion of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which guarantees Sarawak’s constitutional rights.
“Let us be clear: the assertion that this recognition was granted merely to appease ‘political threats’ is both baseless and misleading.
“It reflects a fundamental misunderstanding—or worse, a deliberate distortion—of MA63, which forms the bedrock of our nation’s formation,” Yap said in a press statement today.
He stressed that the restoration of Sarawak’s rights was the result of principled negotiation and firm leadership, “not political coercion”.
“Sarawak’s demands are not about defiance or division—they are about reclaiming what is rightfully ours.
“These are rights enshrined in our constitution, promised to us at the time of Malaysia’s formation, but long sidelined,” he said.
Yap also criticised those who likened Sarawak’s empowerment as the sole gas aggregator to ‘killing the golden goose’, calling the comparison both “insulting” and “a direct affront to the legitimate aspirations of the Sarawakian people who simply seek fairness and transparency in managing our natural wealth”.
On the issue of the PETRONAS layoffs, Yap reminded the public that the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PETRONAS, Tengku Muhammad Taufik, had made it explicitly clear that the job cuts were part of the national oil company’s strategic restructuring to respond to global shifts in the energy industry and the transition towards renewable energy.
“Any attempt to pin this development on Sarawak’s efforts to regain its rights is disingenuous and irresponsible,” he said.
Yap further affirmed that Sarawak’s decision to establish and empower Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) was legally and constitutionally sound, and has already paved the way for investment, job creation, and economic growth for Sarawakians.
“If those critics from across the South China Sea truly cared about the people’s welfare, they would support—not sabotage—Sarawak’s progress toward economic self-reliance,” he added.
He urged Sarawakians not to be swayed by politically motivated narratives.
“To all Sarawakians: do not be misled by those who seek to sow confusion and division.
“Stand united and firm in your support for Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the State government’s ongoing efforts to reclaim and uphold the rights of our people.
“This is not about supremacy—it is about fairness, equality, and the future of Sarawak within a just and united Malaysia.”
Yap added, “To those who feel threatened by Sarawak’s rightful autonomy, I urge you to revisit the true meaning of federalism.
“A strong Malaysia is built on mutual respect and genuine partnership among all its constituent states—Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya alike.
“The Sarawak government’s actions reflect this very spirit: a commitment to a more balanced and equitable Malaysia for all.” — DayakDaily
