By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 24: Standing up for constitutional rights should not be misconstrued, and Sarawak will not be intimidated in defending what is lawfully ours, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak Youth in a statement responding to the State government’s latest legal move.
The statement comes in reference to the Sarawak government’s decision to file a petition in the Federal Court on Monday (Feb 23) to determine the constitutional validity and applicability of several federal laws affecting Sarawak’s rights over its natural resources. This follows Petroliam Nasional Berhad’s (PETRONAS) recent move to question the validity of Sarawak’s petroleum laws.
“We fully support this move to seek judicial clarity on fundamental constitutional questions that carry significant implications not only for the present generation, but also for the future of Sarawakians,” PBB Youth said, emphasising that the State’s position is legally grounded and anchored in the constitutional framework, including the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The statement stressed that Sarawak’s management and regulation of its natural resources must adhere to the constitutional arrangements upon which Malaysia was formed.
“It must therefore be clearly understood that Sarawak’s position is neither arbitrary nor emotional. Our arguments are firm, legally grounded and deeply rooted in the constitutional framework that has established the Federation,” it said.
Addressing narratives from Peninsular Malaysia suggesting that Sarawak is acting out of self-interest, the youth wing clarified that the petition demonstrates the opposite.
“Sarawak is pursuing the proper legal avenue to state its position and seek authoritative determination from the court,” it said.
The statement also highlighted the Sarawak government’s continued commitment to constructive engagement with the federal government.
“Seeking clarity through the courts should not and must not negate the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect within the Federation,” it added.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Office Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali has emphasised that under MA63 and related constitutional instruments, sovereign rights to petroleum resources in the seabed within Sarawak’s boundaries were vested by the British Government on Malaysia Day, and not in the Federation or federal government.
She cited Item 2(c) of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which grants legislative authority to the Dewan Undangan Negeri to regulate petroleum rights through mining leases, certificates, and prospecting licenses. — DayakDaily
