By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 7: The recent settlement between the Federal and Sarawak governments regarding the State’s rights and powers to manage and use continental shelf land marks a significant achievement by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang said the historic milestone could not have been achieved without the relentless pursuit and leadership of the Sarawak Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as well as other GPS leaders.
He also extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Federal government, thanking the unity government for recognising and accepting the important legal fact.
“It is through the support and recognition of the Federal government that Sarawak could make a breakthrough on this critical issue,” he said in a statement today.
Yii, who is also Miri City Council (MCC) mayor further said that the Federal government’s recognition on Sarawak’s rights over the continental shelf is a victory for Sarawakians.
“The steadfast support of the Sarawakians for the GPS government has been crucial in enabling the Sarawak government to negotiate from a position of political strength and achieve this breakthrough.
“Without the support of the people, Sarawak would not have made such significant progress on this path,” he added.
On Aug 5, Abang Johari revealed that the Federal and Sarawak governments have reached a solution regarding rights and power in managing and using land on the continental shelf in Sarawak in line with the provision under Federal Constitution.
He said the matter was discussed in a meeting of the National Energy Council chaired by Anwar in Putrajaya recently, where it was decided that land is a matter under the legal and executive powers of the State which cannot be interfered with.
“It is true that the continental shelf extends up to 200 nautical miles, but what is below it cannot negate the jurisdiction of the State that already exists.
“It cannot be changed. It must be respected,” Abang Johari said. – DayakDaily
