KUCHING, June 11: Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders in Bau and here lodged separate police reports against the legality of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA) today.
In Bau, the Tasik Biru branches of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) jointly lodged the report at Bau police station at 11.38am.
Leading the group were Sumi Lidei from PDP, Chin Poo Nam (SUPP), John Nyigor (PBB) and Datuk Wilfred Rata Nisson (PRS).
Accompanying them were Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep and several members from the four state ruling parties.
They claimed that the Act was null and void as it was never passed in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly. They also claimed that the Act was against Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Meanwhile in Kuching, PRS Youth lodged a similar police report at the Sungai Maong police station at 3.52 pm.
Surai Anthony Abell of PRS 30 and members from PRS Youth wing said the PDA was irrelevant and was against both MA63 and the Federal Constitution.
“I represent PRS Youth, and we all whole heartedly disagree with and reject Petronas’ claim based on the PDA,” said Surai, who lodged the report, in a statement.
“We also want the police to investigate all the wrongdoings of Petronas since 1974. All findings from the investigations should be referred to the State Attorney-General.”
On June 4, Petronas filed a suit in the Federal Court seeking a declaration that it is the sole governing authority for upstream oil and gas activities in Malaysia for both onshore and offshore fields. The national oil giant also wants the court to declare that the PDA supersedes the Sarawak Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO). — DayakDaily
