KUCHING: State Assemblyman Dato Ir. Lo Khere Chiang has rebuked allegations made by the Member for Padungan, asserting that the Premier of Sarawak’s acknowledgment of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74) is not an act of surrender, but a demonstration of strategic sovereignty.
“Recognising the PDA74 does not mean legitimising it. It simply means acknowledging its current enforcement within federal structures. This is not submission—it is strategic engagement,” said Lo.
He stressed that both the Premier of Sarawak and the Prime Minister have openly recognised the flaws of the PDA74, which was never tabled or consented to by the Sarawak State Assembly.
“Let it be clear, Sarawak never consented to the PDA74. It was imposed during an Emergency. Our rights are anchored in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution. The PDA74 has no authority in Sarawak unless we allow it—and we never have, and never will,” he stated.
Lo also highlighted that the Premier’s approach to federal negotiations has yielded real gains for Sarawak, including PETRONAS’ recognition of state laws like the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 and Sarawak’s role as the sole gas aggregator.
“Our Premier is not playing checkers; he is playing chess. Every move is calculated for Sarawak’s long-term advantage,” he said.
Lo criticised Chong for shifting positions on oil royalty and equity demands, questioning the credibility of promises once made but never fulfilled.
“If he couldn’t deliver 20 percent oil royalty and 50 percent tax returns then, what makes 30 percent equity realistic now?” he asked.
Calling on the opposition to redirect their scrutiny to federal authorities, citing decades of resource siphoning and a federal debt of RM1.3 trillion, he added that they should not instead check on Sarawak government that is delivering results.
Ending his remarks, Lo urged for unity in advancing Sarawak’s interests: “The PDA74 may remain in federal records, but Sarawak has never given it legal standing. It is time we speak with one voice, “Sarawak First. Sarawak Always”.
By Connie Chieng