By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 16: The Youth Wing of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has called for the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) to be formally debated at the upcoming sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, in a move aimed at providing clearer regulatory certainty for oil and gas operations in the State.
PRS Youth chief Christopher Gira Sambang said the proposal seeks a clear delineation of authority between state and federal regulatory frameworks, noting that Sarawak already administers upstream petroleum activities under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO 1958), while the PDA 1974 applies at the federal level.
“This initiative is not intended to create regulatory conflict, but to ensure certainty and transparency for oil and gas operators—particularly international investors—on which lawful authority they should engage with when operating in Sarawak,” he said in a statement.
He emphasised that regulatory certainty is a critical factor in maintaining investor confidence, project bankability, and long-term operational stability, especially for capital-intensive upstream and midstream developments.
According to PRS Youth, a structured debate at the State Assembly would help minimise jurisdictional overlap, regulatory ambiguity, and administrative delays, thereby contributing to a more predictable investment environment for both national and international energy players.
The statement further stressed that the proposed discussion is consistent with Sarawak’s long-standing position on State rights over natural resources originating from its land and territorial waters, in line with Malaysia’s federal structure and the principles underpinning the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“For Sarawak, clarity in governance is essential to ensure that the economic value derived from oil and gas resources is translated into sustainable development, local workforce participation, technology transfer, and long-term value creation,” Gira added.
As a component party of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), PRS Youth reiterated its support for a stable, rules-based energy governance framework that positions Sarawak as a reliable and competitive destination for energy investment within Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.
PRS Youth described the proposed debate on the PDA 1974 as a prudent and forward-looking governance measure aimed at reinforcing legal certainty and safeguarding the long-term interests of all stakeholders in Sarawak’s energy sector. — DayakDaily
