By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 24: Political pundit Dato Peter Minos said claimed that Sarawak was “spat on the face” when it raised objections and sought a greater share of benefits within the federation, contending that the State’s concerns were frequently dismissed rather than addressed.
In a recent statement, he reflected on what he described as Sarawak’s experience since the formation of Malaysia, arguing that the State had at times been sidelined when asserting its rights.
He added that some in Peninsular Malaysia had even accused Sarawak of wanting to destroy PETRONAS, asking for more, and creating trouble.
“Whenever we raised objections and asked for a bit more of the benefits, we were spat on the face and told off,” he said.
He also lauded the Sarawak government for its move to file a petition in the Federal Court today to challenge the applicability of key federal laws on oil and gas (O&G) in the State, following PETRONAS’ move to question the validity of Sarawak’s petroleum laws.
“Enough is enough. It is high time for Sarawak to exert itself. Sarawak needs the oil and gas resources to do more development, as well as to advance and progress.
“Sarawakians stand fully with the Sarawak government and Premier on the matter. At stake is Sarawak’s future, on top of fighting for fairness and justice, for now and generations ahead,” he said.
On Feb 23, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said the petition targets the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74), the Continental Shelf Act 1966 (CSA66), and the Petroleum Mining Act 1966 (PMA66), which infringe on the State’s rights over offshore O&G within the State’s boundaries. — DayakDaily
