(Kuching 9th) The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Secretariat issued a statement today pointing out that if the Sarawak DAP Members of Parliament truly wish for Sarawak to obtain the maximum oil and gas rights, their first reaction upon hearing any developments unfavorable to Sarawak's oil and gas interests in Parliament should be to fight strongly in Parliament or the federal government, rather than focusing on garnering their own political capital.
The party noted with regret that the Sarawak DAP, based solely on a written response from a minister, hastily returned to Sarawak to heavily criticize the Sarawak Alliance government, yet did not further question details in Parliament, and only high-profile allegations were made once back in Sarawak, creating confusion.
The statement also pointed out that the Sarawak DAP relied on the answer from the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Azalina, to accuse the Sarawak government of compromising in negotiations with the federal government and giving up Sarawak's oil and gas rights. It is puzzling that if they are dissatisfied with the reply, why didn’t they question the minister in Parliament for a clearer explanation, instead of opting to hold a press conference in Sarawak to criticize the Sarawak Alliance government?
The party emphasized that as the current parliament session is still ongoing, Sarawak Alliance MPs will seek further clarification from the relevant ministers in upcoming meetings to ensure that Sarawak's interests are not harmed.
DAP, with the most ruling seats in Parliament (40 seats), is the party best positioned to influence federal decisions. However, in both the first administration in 2018 and now, what exactly has the DAP achieved in Parliament or the cabinet in vying for more oil and gas rights for Sarawak?
“We have never seen the Sarawak DAP MPs make strong demands at the federal level over oil and gas rights issues after taking office. In contrast, as in this instance, upon receiving unfavorable news, they can’t wait to rush back to Sarawak to criticize the Sarawak Alliance government, trying to capitalize politically by sensationalizing.”
The party’s statement points out the sharp contrast between the silence of Sarawak DAP MPs in Parliament and their high-profile criticism of the Sarawak government at press conferences. This makes one wonder if they are gloating or do not hope for the best for Sarawak?
If the Sarawak DAP genuinely cares for Sarawak's rights, they should proactively push relevant policies in Parliament and the cabinet. For instance, have they ever:
1) Formally demanded in the cabinet to raise Sarawak's share of oil and gas?
2) Pushed for legislative reforms to ensure Sarawak’s autonomy in oil and gas management?
3) Pressured the Ministry of Finance and Petronas for a fairer distribution of resources?
These are the answers the people of Sarawak genuinely want to know, yet the DAP has yet to provide a clear account.
The Sarawak government's stance is crystal clear: the 1974 Petroleum Development Act must coexist with the 1958 Oil Mining Ordinance to ensure that Sarawak’s rights are not encroached upon. The Sarawak Alliance has been actively negotiating with the federal government to fight for Sarawak's voice in oil and gas resource management.
The party’s statement noted that due to the insistence of the Sarawak government, they successfully used legal means to pressure Petronas and secure a legal ruling for the Sarawak government to levy sales tax on petroleum products, bringing additional fiscal revenue to Sarawak. These achievements are the result of long-term negotiations and struggles by the Sarawak government, not the result of DAP’s “sensationalism.”
Sarawak DAP not only failed to assist in winning rights but continuously belittled the efforts of the Sarawak government, even using it as an excuse for attacks.
Sarawak DAP’s past stance on oil and gas issues has been inconsistent. Recalling 2018, during Pakatan Harapan's rule, Sarawak DAP did not fulfill their promise to restore Sarawak's oil and gas rights. Now they attempt to mislead the people through malicious accusations. This double-standard approach fully reveals their political intentions.
Sarawak Alliance government has always adhered to the principle of “Sarawak first” to ensure that the interests of Sarawak’s people are not sold out. We urge Chong Chieng Jen to stop politically sensationalizing the issue. Instead of continuing to maliciously attack the Sarawak government, he should use his position as an MP to seek further clarification in Parliament, demonstrating a truly responsible attitude.
“This not only betrays the campaign promises but also exposes the Sarawak DAP’s inaction within the federal government, utterly failing to fight for Sarawak’s deserved rights. At that time, the people of Sarawak felt extremely angry and disappointed because they witnessed the double standards of the Pakatan Harapan leaders: making pledges confidently in opposition but finding excuses to overturn those promises once in power.”
The statement stated that now, as the Sarawak DAP seeks to use the oil and gas issue to attack the Sarawak government, it instead reminds Sarawakians of how Pakatan Harapan and the Sarawak DAP failed to meet the people's expectations in 2018, and at critical moments chose to compromise, helping the federal government find excuses to shirk responsibility.
The party claimed that if Sarawak DAP MPs cannot account to the people what they have done in Parliament or through DAP’s central leadership in the cabinet to fight for Sarawak's interests, then their accusations are meaningless. For it is indeed the Sarawak DAP, which holds Peninsular Malaysia in paramount esteem, that has not fought for Sarawak’s interests!
The party noted with regret that the Sarawak DAP, based solely on a written response from a minister, hastily returned to Sarawak to heavily criticize the Sarawak Alliance government, yet did not further question details in Parliament, and only high-profile allegations were made once back in Sarawak, creating confusion.
The statement also pointed out that the Sarawak DAP relied on the answer from the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Azalina, to accuse the Sarawak government of compromising in negotiations with the federal government and giving up Sarawak's oil and gas rights. It is puzzling that if they are dissatisfied with the reply, why didn’t they question the minister in Parliament for a clearer explanation, instead of opting to hold a press conference in Sarawak to criticize the Sarawak Alliance government?
The party emphasized that as the current parliament session is still ongoing, Sarawak Alliance MPs will seek further clarification from the relevant ministers in upcoming meetings to ensure that Sarawak's interests are not harmed.
DAP, with the most ruling seats in Parliament (40 seats), is the party best positioned to influence federal decisions. However, in both the first administration in 2018 and now, what exactly has the DAP achieved in Parliament or the cabinet in vying for more oil and gas rights for Sarawak?
“We have never seen the Sarawak DAP MPs make strong demands at the federal level over oil and gas rights issues after taking office. In contrast, as in this instance, upon receiving unfavorable news, they can’t wait to rush back to Sarawak to criticize the Sarawak Alliance government, trying to capitalize politically by sensationalizing.”
The party’s statement points out the sharp contrast between the silence of Sarawak DAP MPs in Parliament and their high-profile criticism of the Sarawak government at press conferences. This makes one wonder if they are gloating or do not hope for the best for Sarawak?
If the Sarawak DAP genuinely cares for Sarawak's rights, they should proactively push relevant policies in Parliament and the cabinet. For instance, have they ever:
1) Formally demanded in the cabinet to raise Sarawak's share of oil and gas?
2) Pushed for legislative reforms to ensure Sarawak’s autonomy in oil and gas management?
3) Pressured the Ministry of Finance and Petronas for a fairer distribution of resources?
These are the answers the people of Sarawak genuinely want to know, yet the DAP has yet to provide a clear account.
The Sarawak government's stance is crystal clear: the 1974 Petroleum Development Act must coexist with the 1958 Oil Mining Ordinance to ensure that Sarawak’s rights are not encroached upon. The Sarawak Alliance has been actively negotiating with the federal government to fight for Sarawak's voice in oil and gas resource management.
The party’s statement noted that due to the insistence of the Sarawak government, they successfully used legal means to pressure Petronas and secure a legal ruling for the Sarawak government to levy sales tax on petroleum products, bringing additional fiscal revenue to Sarawak. These achievements are the result of long-term negotiations and struggles by the Sarawak government, not the result of DAP’s “sensationalism.”
Sarawak DAP not only failed to assist in winning rights but continuously belittled the efforts of the Sarawak government, even using it as an excuse for attacks.
Sarawak DAP’s past stance on oil and gas issues has been inconsistent. Recalling 2018, during Pakatan Harapan's rule, Sarawak DAP did not fulfill their promise to restore Sarawak's oil and gas rights. Now they attempt to mislead the people through malicious accusations. This double-standard approach fully reveals their political intentions.
Sarawak Alliance government has always adhered to the principle of “Sarawak first” to ensure that the interests of Sarawak’s people are not sold out. We urge Chong Chieng Jen to stop politically sensationalizing the issue. Instead of continuing to maliciously attack the Sarawak government, he should use his position as an MP to seek further clarification in Parliament, demonstrating a truly responsible attitude.
“This not only betrays the campaign promises but also exposes the Sarawak DAP’s inaction within the federal government, utterly failing to fight for Sarawak’s deserved rights. At that time, the people of Sarawak felt extremely angry and disappointed because they witnessed the double standards of the Pakatan Harapan leaders: making pledges confidently in opposition but finding excuses to overturn those promises once in power.”
The statement stated that now, as the Sarawak DAP seeks to use the oil and gas issue to attack the Sarawak government, it instead reminds Sarawakians of how Pakatan Harapan and the Sarawak DAP failed to meet the people's expectations in 2018, and at critical moments chose to compromise, helping the federal government find excuses to shirk responsibility.
The party claimed that if Sarawak DAP MPs cannot account to the people what they have done in Parliament or through DAP’s central leadership in the cabinet to fight for Sarawak's interests, then their accusations are meaningless. For it is indeed the Sarawak DAP, which holds Peninsular Malaysia in paramount esteem, that has not fought for Sarawak’s interests!