SUPP launches petition to support fight for ownership of O&G resources
KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) has launched a petition meant to gain public support for the Sarawak government to defend and protect its ownership of resources, particularly those of oil and gas.
It is reported that 2,464 supporters had signed the petition as at 9pm last night.
A SUPP spokesperson said the number of signatories could increase significantly over the next few days.
The petition was drawn up following the filing by Petronas of its application before the Federal Court to seek declaration on the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which would affect Sarawak.
In a separate press statement delivered to the press after the launch of the petition earlier yesterday, SUPP said Petronas’ court application could mean to ‘ frustrate Sarawak’ – restricting it from getting full control over oil and gas resources effective July 1 this year.
Under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63), Sarawak Alteration of Boundaries Order in Council 1954, the Federal Constitution and Sarawak Constitution were all supporting Sarawak’s claim on sovereignty in oil resources found in its territorial waters, it said.
“For 44 years, Petronas has been making tons of money from Sarawak’s oil and gas resources; yet, Sarawak remains poor just because it does not get any fair share of the proceeds from these resources,” SUPP said.
SUPP secretary- general Datuk Sebastian Ting was present to deliver the press statement and launch the petition yesterday.
To know more about the petition, go to www.change.org/p/protect- sarawakoilgas- rights. The petition can be signed and uploaded via this site.