By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 8: Sarawak has consistently maintained that the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 and the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958 must coexist to safeguard the Sarawak’s rights in oil and gas.
Responding to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s view that Sarawak may have surrendered its oil and gas rights to the federal government, Tupong assemblyman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman rebuked Chong for targeting the Sarawak government instead of seeking proper clarification.
“I am surprised that Chong did not request clarification from the relevant minister. Why did he remain silent and accept the minister’s response without question? Is it because he does not truly want to fight for Sarawak’s rights?
“He only raised the issue after returning to Kuching instead of addressing it in Parliament when he had the opportunity. He could have asked the minister directly or even instructed his party’s secretary-general to do so in the Cabinet. Why didn’t he?” Fazzrudin questioned in a statement today.
At a press conference today, Chong demanded that Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and the Sarawak government clarify their stance on Petroleum Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) operations in Sarawak following a written parliamentary reply from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Chong claimed that the terms allegedly agreed upon by the Sarawak and federal governments were detrimental to Sarawak, effectively compromising and relinquishing Sarawak’s oil and gas rights.
Among the alleged terms of agreement include Sarawak government acknowledges and accepts the PDA 197 (Act 144) as the Federal Act governing the policy framework and operations of Malaysia’s petroleum industry; PETRONAS recognises Petros’ role as gas aggregator, excluding liquefied natural gas (LNG); and PETRONAS and its subsidiary companies need not be licensed and governed by any additional procedures except those provided in PDA’s Act 144.
On the response by Azalina, Fazzrudin, who is also chief political secretary to Sarawak Premier, questioned whether she had even been present during the meeting between the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Abang Johari.
He emphasised that leaders of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Sarawak MPs remain committed to defending the Sarawak’s rights.
“However, it seems Chong and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) are more interested in scoring political points rather than addressing the real issue. What have you actually done for Sarawak?” he challenged.
Regardless, Fazzrudin pointed out that the ongoing parliamentary sitting provides ample opportunity for GPS MPs to seek clarification from the minister during her winding-up speech.
“I urge Chong to not jump the gun merely to seek popularity. If popularity is what he wants, I am sure that the people of Sarawak will appreciate their MP to fight for Sarawak rights rather than just shouting about it,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
