By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 24: All Sarawakian MPs, regardless of party, must unite behind the Sarawak government’s Federal Court petition challenging key federal petroleum laws, as this is no time for internal divisions, political one-upmanship, or personal agendas when Sarawak’s rights and future are at stake.
Urging this, former Bukit Assek assemblywoman and Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak political education director, Irene Chang, reminded that at this critical juncture, unity is a duty, not a choice.
Chang described the State government’s legal move as “necessary and long-overdue” to resolve the long-standing dispute with the federal government over Sarawak’s constitutional authority and petroleum rights. She noted that the outcome of the case will have lasting implications for Sarawak’s rights for generations.
She cautioned the State government to be fully prepared for all possible outcomes, including an unfavourable ruling, and urged transparency with Sarawakians on the government’s contingency plan if the court does not rule in the State’s favour.
“Having chosen this judicial path, the State government must now demonstrate that it is fully prepared for every possible outcome, including an unfavourable court ruling.
“Court battles do not come with guaranteed victories. Sarawakians deserve a clear and honest answer: what is the government’s contingency plan if the court decides against Sarawak’s position?” she asked in a statement today.
Highlighting the gravity of the legal challenge, Chang stressed that it goes far beyond politics, touching on Sarawak’s constitutional standing, territorial boundaries, and sovereign rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
She warned that the legal action must not be perceived as an election gimmick, but as a serious constitutional fight that carries a moral obligation to see it through.
“Sarawakians are watching closely. Since the Sarawak government is invoking the MA63 and the Federal Constitution, it must do so with consistency, courage, and long-term commitment, not half-measures timed around political cycles,” she said.
Chang urged the Sarawak government to remain steadfast, warning that any retreat, compromise without mandate, or abandonment midway would weaken Sarawak’s position, betray public trust, and leave the State in a more disadvantaged position than before.
“Sarawak has waited far too long for clarity and justice over her rights. Having taken this
decisive step, the Sarawak Government must stay the course,” she emphasised.
The Sarawak government filed a petition on Monday (Feb 23) to challenge the applicability of key federal laws on oil and gas (O&G) in the State, following Petroliam Nasional Berhad’s (PETRONAS) move to question the validity of Sarawak’s petroleum laws.
Sharifah Hasidah emphasised that under the MA63 and the constitutional instruments annexed thereto, sovereign rights to the petroleum resources in the seabed within Sarawak’s boundaries, were vested on Malaysia Day by the British Government in Sarawak and not in the Federation or federal government.
She cited Item 2(c) of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which vests legislative authority in the Dewan Undangan Negeri to regulate the exercise of these petroleum rights through the issuance of mining leases, certificates, and prospecting licenses. — DayakDaily
