Support Sarawak Government's Recovery of Rights Under Constitutional Framework - Huang Xiping Criticizes Sarawak DAP's Silence

(Kuching, 27th) Huang Xiping, Secretary of the Youth Wing and Propaganda of SUPP Kuching Branch, stated in a press release that the battle between Petronas and the Sarawak government over who owns the oil and gas resources on the continental shelf off East Malaysia has been brewing for some time, and recent disputes may intensify.

Since 2022, Petronas and its contractors have discovered six new oil fields offshore Sarawak, and recently confirmed another three, totaling nine; naturally, the federal government is unwilling to let go of this 'fat piece'.

He mentioned that recently, West Malaysian politicians Tengku Razaleigh and Zaid Ibrahim repeatedly emphasized that according to the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (Act 144), Petronas holds the exploitation rights for oil and gas in Sarawak, and it does not belong to Sarawak.

For 50 years, under the federal government's unfair petroleum laws, the revenue from oil and gas in Sabah and Sarawak has been divided among the producing states (5%), federal government (5%), production companies (41%), and Petronas benefiting the most (49%). Under such unfair and exploitative regulations, Sarawak has suffered great losses, having contributed a trillion in revenue to Petronas!

Following the statement made by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari on the 20th, during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly summarizing departmental affairs, it was clearly expressed that Sarawak has absolute control over its continental shelf waters and no transfer or negotiation to transfer its rights to the federal government is allowed. No one can question the 1954 Sarawak Ordinance that extended Sarawak's boundaries to include the continental shelf formed by the seabed and subsoil.

Additionally, the Sarawak government has passed a new Sarawak Gas Distribution Ordinance, fully authorizing the Sarawak Oil Company as the distributor of natural gas, and accordingly, the exploitation rights of oil and gas fields must be decided by the Sarawak Oil Company.

As Sarawakians, we fully support the Sarawak government in reclaiming our lost rights within the constitutional framework. On the other hand, the Sarawak DAP remains silent on the controversy over the continental shelf and oil and gas exploitation rights in Sarawak. Are they afraid to defy the decision of the West Malaysian 'boss'?