Lawyer dismayed that See wants state govt to file case on TSA, PDA
SIBU: Lawyer Robert Lau Hui Yew is dismayed with Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How’s call for the state government to file a motion in court to declare the Territorial Seas Act ( TSA) 2012 and Petroleum Development Act ( PDA) 1974 null and void.
In a press statement, Lau said See had failed to differentiate between a thief and a victim.
“You are basically telling the victim to apologise for being weak and not able to defend the thief from stealing the oil and gas,” Lau insinuated.
He pointed out that Sarawak has the right of ownership over resources that lie off its shores, such as the oil and gas resources in the continental shelf.
“Sarawak has the rights and sovereignty before Sept 16, 1963 and continued to have the same rights after the formation of Malaysia.
“It was after the 1969 declaration of Emergency that Malaya started scheming to steal our wealth. These were elaborate schemes, involving much arm twisting and incentives to the leaders of Sarawak at that time,” he said, adding that Sabah suffered worse fate.
He said the Malayans started to introduce new laws and Executive Orders that eventually ended up with Sarawak’s oil and gas taken by Petronas.
He pointed out that the PDA 1974 was the ultimate law and after the Emergency was lifted in 2011, Parliament passed the Territorial Seas Act 2012 to continue with the occupation of Sarawak’s continental shelf.
“None of Sarawak’s members of Parliament voted against it.
“Those MPs in the 70s and 80s may still be forgiven for their ignorance due to lack of education and exposure but to see it happening in 2012 was a crying shame and a disgrace,” Lau said.
He believed that the past leaders were too weak and inexperienced to deal with the Malayans at that time.
“In fact, the British colonial office was most concerned about the lack of political awareness and leadership when the grand design of a new Malaysia was presented.
“They estimated that the Borneo territories would take at least 15 to 20 years before they can have some form of political leadership to defend themselves.
“That was why there were safeguards put in to shield the Borneo territories from being taken over by the far more advanced Malayan partner,” he added.
He asked See to declare his stand on the PDA 1974.
“Declare your stand publicly. Don’t ask for apologies and blame our past leaders. That part can be left to academics and historians to write and argue,” he said.
He said since Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) and Democratic Action Party ( DAP) are in the ruling federal government now, they should speak up and stand up to their political masters in Peninsular Malaysia.
“You will have my full support and that of every Anak Sarawak if you do so. The time for leadership is now,” he stressed.