Advocacy group welcomes Federal Court decision
KUCHING: Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA), a new advocacy group formed to fight for Sarawak’s rights, sees the favourable outcome in respect of the Petronas suit against Sarawak government on the issue of upstream oil and gas sector as a step forward for Sarawak.
SPA pro t em committee chairman Datuk Lau Pang Heng was elated over the news that the Federal Court yesterday had dismissed Petronas’ application for leave to commence proceedings against the Sarawak government with cost of RM50,000.
“We want to congratulate Sarawak government for winning the first battle. The outcome is very good for Sarawak as it shall bring the state to be at par with the development in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said in a statement issued here yesterday.
Noting that Petronas was seeking a declaration that it has exclusive regulatory authority for the upstream industry throughout Malaysia including Sarawak under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 ( PDA) and that the Sarawak Oil Mining Ordinance ( OMO) 1958 was impliedly repealed by the PDA, SPA however disagreed with Petronas’ interpretation.
“We share the same view with the Sarawak government that the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 which is a Sarawak legislation is valid law and Petronas has to comply with the Sarawak state laws,” he added.
SPA, he reiterated, supports Sarawak government’ s establishment of Petros, the stateowned oil and gas exploration company, as it would be fully owned by Sarawak.
“We also support the state government’s stand that necessary licences and leases under the OMO and Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016 must first be obtained as they are in accordance with the legislative powers conferred on the state under the Federal Constitution,” he continued.
Lau thus called on all Sarawakians to work together with the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to ensure the return of full autonomy to Sarawak in accordance with the Inter Govermental Committee Report ( IGCR) and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63).
SPA is a non- governmental organisation formed by Sarawakians. Among others, it aims to support Sarawak and her people and safeguard their rights while maintaining peace and harmony in light of true democracy.
“We would like to invite all Sarawakians regardless of race, religion, and/or political affiliations to join us for a common goal whch is to claim back the lost rights of Sarawak.
“This will enable us to come up with a concerted effort to voice our aspirations to the PH government for the return of full autonomy to Sarawak,” he concluded.