Natural resources a major issue for Sarawakians — STAR president
KUCHING: State Reform Party Sarawak (STAR) disagrees with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s recent call to Sarawakians not to politicise the oil and gas (O& G) issue, but to leave the matter to the professionals.
STAR president Lina Soo emphasises that every Sarawakian needs to be concerned as Sarawak’s natural resources – O& G in particular – belong to the people and the future generations.
“It is a major issue of Sarawak’s rights, which have been exploited and violated by the federal government.
“This is a major breach of the Malaysia Agreement, Sarawak Constitution and the Federal Constitution which has resulted in 44 years of poverty and failed development – making Sarawak the poorest and most backward territory,” she said in a press statement issued yesterday.
Soo questioned the need for Petros to discuss with Petronas on Sarawak’s oil rights when it is for Petronas to seek Petros’ approval for the mining licence in compliance with Sarawak Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO).
“It is for Sarawak’s Petros to manage, to govern our mining activities and to give instructions on the technical and financial arrangements to Petronas; not to negotiate with Petronas in any way which can compromise our territorial and sovereignty rights,” she pointed out.
Soo also asked the Sarawak government why there was no Gas Utilisation Project in Sarawak as was done in Peninsular Malaysia.
“Bintulu is one of the top three in the world’s production of gas – yet why is Peninsular Malaysia given more gas subsidies than Sarawak? Why is our abundant gas not piped to customers in the commercial and industrial sectors in Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan; whereas the Peninsular Gas Utilisation ( PGU) system operated by Petronas Gas Bhd has the gas pipeline linked to Singapore and Thailand?” she questioned.
In stressing that O& G rights represent a major political issue affecting all Sarawakians, Soo reminded that the Sarawak government has its duty to keep Sarawakians fully informed, with transparency and accountability.
“If political parties have to be stif led and silenced on political issues that concern Sarawakians and affect our future generations, then today, the government and political parties would have failed in their duties and obligations, of which they were elected for,” she said.