Chong calls on Sarawak government to file affidavit
KUCHING: Sarawak Pakatan Harapan leader Chong Chieng Jen has called on the Sarawak government to file an affidavit in opposition to Petroliam Nasional Berhad’s ( Petronas) suit.
He said the Sarawak government should also present its question of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 force of law to be determined by the Federal Court.
“That is what the state attorneygeneral ought to do. Not just sit back and wait for the outcome of the leave application of Petronas. If the state government is serious about contesting this case, a lot of things can be done even before the determination of the leave,” he said when commenting on the Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Thursday.
Chong said he could not attend the meeting as he was in Kuala Lumpur.
The Sarawak Democratic Action Party ( DAP) chief also said he was unsure of the purpose of the meeting called by Abang Johari.
“But it seems that the state government is going to wait for the ruling on the leave, which is on June 12,” he said.
According to Chong, to argue these cases, Sarawak needs “someone who is really well versed in the law, who really has the interest in the law, and who actually practices, a good litigator”.
“That is why we sent our lawyer to the meeting with the Chief Minister. Our representative is very well versed in law. He has published law books.
“He is not just coming there to represent DAP but also the people of Sarawak. Basically, I think from what transpired in the meeting, the state government is not serious about defending the case,” he claimed.
According to Chong, the Sarawak government should be serious about defending this case and not turn it into a political stunt.
During the meeting, AAS members led by president Ranbir Singh Singha, Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice- chairman See Chee How, and lawyer Robert Lau had pledged to give their full support in the fight for Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63).
The nearly 50 lawyers from both sides of the political divide had pledged to unite and help the Sarawak government for free as their efforts were for Sarawak and nothing to do with their political stand.
On Monday, Petronas filed a court application, seeking a declaration from the Federal Court that the national oil corporation is the exclusive owner of petroleum resources and regulator for upstream activities in the country, including in Sarawak.
The application for leave made under Article 4(4) of the Federal Constitution will be heard on June 12 in Putrajaya.