KUCHING: Soo Tien Ren, Director of the Political Education Bureau of DAPSY Sarawak, described the federal recognition of PETROS as a gas aggregator as “a major political development under the Unity Government’s MADANI framework.” He said this milestone reflects a growing commitment to federalism and decentralisation, especially in regions like Sarawak and Sabah that have long called for greater autonomy.
He said Sarawak lost many of its founding rights over time, including control over oil and gas, due to decisions made by previous leaders within the Barisan Nasional era. We cannot put all the blame on Putrajaya.
“But today, under the leadership of the Unity Government and with support from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, we’re seeing positive change. The recognition of PETROS is a concrete step toward restoring what was lost, he added “.
Soo stressed that this move should not be seen as the final goal. “PETRONAS has built vast wealth from our resources, and its dividends, like the RM42 billion paid to the federal government in 2023 are vital to national development. Yet Sarawak, with its existing autonomy, must now push for more. We must negotiate for broader authority not just in resources, but in education, healthcare, and beyond.”
He cautioned that devolution is not a simple administrative act, but a long-term national project. “It’s not just signing off documents. It requires new legislation, constitutional amendments, system audits, and trained personnel. These are major tasks that can’t be rushed or politicised.”
Soo concluded by reaffirming DAP’s support for the Unity Government’s devolution agenda. “This is the first government in over 60 years to act on meaningful power-sharing. No political noise or revisionist narrative can erase that. Devolution is a historical necessity, and we will continue to support this effort—because it’s the right path for Malaysia.”
By Connie Chieng