KUCHING: Sentosa State Assemblyman, Wilfred Yap criticised recent parliamentary replies by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, saying they misrepresent Sarawak’s legal rights over oil and gas resources.
“The Minister’s replies reflect a serious lack of legal appreciation of Sarawak’s constitutional and statutory rights,” he said.
Yap explained that Sarawak’s authority is derived from the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958, which predates the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 by more than 15 years and remains in force. “To overlook this is to misstate the law and mislead the public,” he added.
He stressed that the PDA, enacted without Sarawak’s consent, cannot override the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which safeguards the state’s control over its natural resources.
Yap also reminded that the Joint Declaration signed on May 21, 2025, between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, had reaffirmed Sarawak’s legal position. The agreement recognises Sarawak’s authority under the OMO and Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016, appoints PETROS as sole gas aggregator, and confirms that Petronas must operate within Sarawak’s framework.
“Sarawak’s rights are secured by law, not federal concessions. The Federal Government must honour both MA63 and the Joint Declaration. Sarawakians will not accept any attempt to downplay our legally recognised rights,” Yap said.
By Connie Chieng