KUCHING, March 6: Sarawak can now fully exploit its oil and gas and other natural resources constitutionally under the State List as per Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in his much anticipated announcement tonight, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has agreed to return the state’s power over its natural resources including oil and gas that had been inadvertently eroded over the years.
“Indeed, the formation of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) and the exercising of the constitutional rights under item 2(c) of the State List and 8(j) of the Federal List as provided in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution is the outcome of the discussion on Devolution of Power between the State and Federal Government.
“I would like therefore to thank the Prime Minister (Najib) for agreeing to give back the power that has been inadvertently eroded over the years,” Abang Johari said in his address during the official launching ceremony for Petros at a hotel here.
He added that the launching of Petros tonight was a clear testimony that substantial progress had been achieved in the ongoing discussion on devolution of power between the state and Putrajaya.
“With the continued support of the people for Barisan Nasional, more progress will be made so as to meet the aspirations of Sarawakians that the State of Sarawak attain the level of development of the more developed states in Peninsular Malaysia by having more revenue from our oil, gas and other mineral resources to fund the state government’s development agenda and the initiatives launched by me for a Digital Economy for Sarawak,” said Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
