KUCHING, May 23: The Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, Territorial Sea Act 2012 (TSA 2012), and the Continental Shelf Act (CSA) 1966 are all Acts of Parliament that must be repealed in order to protect Sarawak’s rights, says Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan.
In a statement issued today, he stated that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), as the kingmaker, should seek Parliament to repeal the PDA 1974, TSA 2012, and the CSA 1966.
“There is no need to amend the Federal Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority.
“The repeal of these Acts by Parliament will not result in any amendment to any article or provision in the Federal Constitution.
“The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, is from Sarawak and he could just table to withdraw these Acts to have them repealed in Parliament,” Voon said.
He also said that if there is no support in Parliament to repeal these Acts, Sarawak will have a good excuse to seek exit from the Federation of Malaysia.
“There is no need to bring the matter to court to declare the invalidity of these Acts because they may be inconsistent with the protection afforded to Sabah and Sarawak under the Constitution, but when matters go to court, it would be a very tedious process.
“The federal government may challenge the Acts as valid and enforceable laws against Sarawak.
“People with legal training know very well that as long as these Acts are not repealed, they are enforceable and are valid laws,” he added.
Voon said the GPS government could not claim that these Acts have no legal consequences on Sarawak’s rights just because the Sarawak government does not recognise them.
“GPS could say that the State’s rights and sovereignty had not been affected and argued that all things are intact under the Sarawak (Alteration of Boundaries) Order-in-Council 1954.
“However, we all know that Acts of Parliament are superior to any law passed by the Sarawak Legislature,” he asserted. — DayakDaily
