By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 18: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari may say otherwise, but Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen insists that Sarawak’s rights over its oil and gas (O&G) have been severely compromised for the second time in Malaysia’s history.
Chong, who is also the Stampin MP, said the first instance was the enactment of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, while the second was the agreement reached between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Abang Johari on Jan 7, 2025.
“No amount of words and excuses in Abang Jo’s press statement today can hide this fact,” he said in a statement today.
His remarks came after the Premier said all parties would respect both federal and Sarawak laws, including the PDA 1974 and the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016, which provides the legal framework for Sarawak’s involvement in the oil and gas sector.
Chong expressed disappointment, stating that after years of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) claiming to fight for Sarawak’s rights, the Sarawak government had made a sudden U-turn at a critical moment when Sarawak holds a key position in the federal administration.
“At this golden moment, when Sarawak is the kingmaker in the federal government and has all the legal basis to assert its claim, the Sarawak government has instead conceded to Putrajaya by acknowledging the validity of the PDA 1974.
“The movement started by the late Adenan Satem is now all wasted,” he added.
Chong noted that when Law Minister Dato Sri Azalina Othman Said revealed in Parliament on Feb 4 that Sarawak had agreed to recognise the PDA 1974, GPS leaders initially denied the claim. However, on Feb 17, Anwar reaffirmed the agreement in Parliament, adding further details, followed by Abang Johari’s latest statement, which Chong said essentially confirmed Sarawak’s concession.
“By acknowledging the validity of PDA 1974, Sarawak is making a major concession. It undermines the legal foundation of all our previous claims,” he stressed.
Chong also pointed out that just days before Anwar’s statement, Sarawak’s legal advisor Dato Sri JC Fong had publicly questioned the PDA 1974’s legality.
“Why did Abang Jo and his Cabinet ministers disregard the legal opinion of Sarawak’s legal advisor and proceed with recognising the PDA 1974? The Premier and his Cabinet owe Sarawakians an explanation,” he said.
Ironically, Chong said, among all GPS component parties, the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) was the first to express support for the shift in position.
“SUPP was the loudest in shouting the ‘Sarawak First’ slogan. Yet, the moment the Prime Minister made his announcement in Parliament, SUPP wasted no time in endorsing this new stance,” he remarked. — DayakDaily
