By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 24: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has expressed support for the Sarawak government’s petition filed in the Federal Court in Putrajaya seeking a constitutional ruling on three federal petroleum laws.
In a statement, he said the move is necessary to clarify the State’s rights and legislative authority over its oil and gas resources, likening the process to tending a garden where clear boundaries are essential for orderly growth and development.
The petition seeks a constitutional determination on the applicability of the Petroleum Development Act 1974, the Continental Shelf Act 1966 and the Petroleum Mining Act 1966 to Sarawak, following legal questions surrounding the State’s petroleum regulatory framework.
Expanding on his analogy, the mayor described the matter as tending to a vast garden, saying that if the boundaries of the land are unclear, even the most diligent gardener cannot cultivate it effectively.
He added that a clear judicial ruling would define the fence lines, allowing development of the energy sector to proceed in an orderly and sustainable manner.
He said the case centres on constitutional rights and legislative authority over petroleum resources within Sarawak’s boundaries, particularly in light of safeguards enshrined under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“At the heart of this case is the question of constitutional rights and legislative authority over petroleum resources within Sarawak’s boundaries.
“Sarawak maintains that certain rights over these resources were vested in the State on Malaysia Day, and the petition seeks clarity on how subsequent federal laws interact with those preserved rights,” he said.
Wee expressed firm support for the State government’s decision to pursue constitutional recourse, describing it as a mature and principled approach grounded in the rule of law.
“Seeking judicial clarification reflects maturity in governance and confidence in the rule of law. It demonstrates that Sarawak believes in institutions, not mere rhetoric,” he added.
He stressed that clarity in the legal framework governing oil and gas is crucial for Sarawak’s long-term economic stability, noting that the energy sector underpins investment, job creation, infrastructure development and public services.
“When the rules are clear, businesses can plan with certainty and communities can prosper with confidence,” he said.
The mayor emphasised that Sarawak’s position is not about confrontation but about ensuring that the foundations agreed upon in 1963 remain respected within the Federation, while welcoming continued dialogue between the State and Federal governments and noting that constitutional recourse and constructive engagement are complementary paths forward. — DayakDaily
