S'wak Governor urges vigilance on roads after deadly FRU crash
KUCHING: The Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has called on the public to take heed of the recent road tragedy that claimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) officers, urging greater vigilance and responsibility during festive travel.
In a message marking the 2025 Gawai Dayak celebrations, he said such tragedies should serve as a wake-up call on the importance of adhering to safety measures and driving responsibly.
'As we celebrate Gawai Dayak with joy, I urge all Sarawakians to be cautious and prioritise safety on the roads, especially when returning to their hometowns,' he said today.
With improved infrastructure, including the Pan Borneo Highway, easing travel across the region, Wan Junaidi warned against turning such routes into 'racing circuits', stressing that 'it is better to arrive late than never'.
Turning to broader development, Wan Junaidi reaffirmed the state's commitment to narrowing the urban-rural divide, citing significant infrastructure upgrades under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
These include the rebuilding of more than 200 dilapidated schools and the construction of 16 bridges, along with the ongoing expansion of the Pan Borneo Highway and coastal road networks.
'These efforts are not just about better connectivity, but also about improving quality of life in rural areas, from road access and clean water to telecommunications,' he said.
Wan Junaidi also highlighted the state's focus on education, noting various initiatives to boost literacy and academic achievement, including early intervention programmes and the establishment of community-based learning centres.
He urged parents to prioritise their children's education, describing it as 'key to a brighter future'.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of Gawai Dayak, officially celebrated since 1965, Wan Junaidi said the festival is more than just a harvest celebration.
He said it embodies unity, harmony and mutual respect among Sarawak's diverse communities, values that must be preserved and strengthened.
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In retrospect, it compels us to examine if our sentiments and limited viewpoints have impeded our capacity to conduct a fair and impartial analysis of the situation. Setting the context is obviously the right starting point and proceeding from there to view rising expectations and interlocking implications that would follow, is a natural course to expect. Complicated bargains The recently-inked agreement establishing operational jurisdiction for O&G activities between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) is a start in the right direction, but it is unlikely to entirely fulfil both entities' objectives and expectations. It is anticipated that ongoing negotiations and adjustments will be necessary to reach a truly mutually agreeable operating framework. The agreement demonstrates a willingness to collaborate and share resources, but the complexities surrounding revenue-sharing, operational control, and future exploration rights may still pose challenges. Generally speaking, resource agreements with high political and financial stakes – like the one aimed at resolving the O&G dispute between Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur – are complicated bargains. Even though the signed declaration may include crucial issues like income-sharing, regulatory power, and production-sharing, we need to acknowledge that Petronas and Petros may have inherent differences in priorities. For example, Petros would want a higher proportion of the revenue from O&G for Sarawak's development, while Petronas is devoted to striking a balance between national duty and profitability. The ink is dry on the joint declaration, but expectations are high on how soon the O&G would truly turn a page. The line of enquiry raises the question – what happens next? This pact might be a landmark, but it is also the starting line. 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Notwithstanding, it remains to be said that the O&G agreement still requires good faith and continued vigilance to ensure its long-term success and mutual advantage. Ultimately, the success of the signed declaration will be gauged by its ability to improve the life of the people of Sarawak, as well as to contribute to the progress and prosperity of the country. The joint declaration on O&G represents a move towards greater cooperation and a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities. It does show that the federal government is willing to discuss and give Sarawak more power over its resources and independence. This negotiated arrangement to address Sarawak's concerns about its O&G rights is significant within the broader context of devolution under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 63), and it should not be viewed in isolation of other socio-political dynamics. Beyond the historic joint agreement, it is hoped that the Kuala Lumpur-Kuching cooperation will serve as the basis for future agreements and legal discourse that, rather than being adversarial, uphold the spirit and letter of MA63. However, the true impact of the joint declaration will depend on its implementation and how the modifications to Sarawak's revenue-sharing, regulatory authority, and operational domain are defined. Sarawak in advantageous position A closer examination reveals that Sarawak may have secured a more advantageous position, although both sides are likely touting the agreement as a win-win. Interestingly, a shift in the power dynamic is apparent with Sarawak's increased control over its O&G resources, which may be achieved through greater revenue-sharing, decision-making power in exploration and production, and participation in the value chain. As Sarawakians, we would like to view it as a decisive victory for our state, and we recognise that its long-term economic effects and the details of its implementation must follow suit. Equally gratifying to us is that initial indications suggest the joint agreement is a significant step towards greater autonomy and resource control for Sarawak. Sarawak's greater control over its hydrocarbon resources is the primary factor contributing to its advantage. Sarawak can avoid depending on federal funding by actively participating in the lucrative O&G industry and producing a sizeable amount of revenue for the state through Petros. This increase could improve the standard of living of Sarawakians by funding the development of infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other important areas. Sarawak can avoid depending on federal funding by actively participating in the lucrative O&G industry and producing a sizeable amount of revenue for the state through Petros. Sustainable, equitable collaboration Discerning critics will concur with me that further discussion is necessary in several crucial areas to reinforce the Kuala Lumpur-Sarawak joint declaration on O&G in Sarawak. Clarifying the definition of 'net revenue' and putting in place transparent, mutually agreed-upon accounting practices are crucial to avoid disputes regarding revenue sharing. Sarawak's role in overseeing O&G operations, including enforcing environmental rules, must be strengthened to ensure that resources are used responsibly. Investing in Sarawakian talent development in the O&G sector through focused education and training programmes would give power to the local communities and make the industry more sustainable. Lastly, to avoid problems and keep the collaboration strong and productive, there should be a clear way to resolve disputes that includes specific steps and deadlines. Although we commend Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak for their willingness to collaborate and pool resources, there may still be 'gaps' due to the intricacies of revenue-sharing, operational control, and future exploration rights. Neither side should lose sight of this. Given this, the joint declaration should be regarded as a transitional stage that aims to establish the framework for a more sustainable and equitable collaboration. Amidst the signed declaration, Petronas appears to be devoted to striking a balance between national duty and profitability. — AFP photo Secure Petros' position However, to guarantee its long-term success and mutual gain, both parties must maintain their vigilance and act in good faith. The declaration's actual effectiveness will ultimately be determined by how it affects Sarawakians' quality of and the country's general prosperity. Petros has secured a favourable bargain. This stems from several considerations. First, the power balance shifted from one heavily federally dominated to one of state dominance as a result of the mutual understanding, which gives Sarawak increased authority over the extraction, development, and production of O&G resources inside its borders. This includes greater control over operational choices, profit-sharing, and direct access to its natural resources. Additionally, the deal enables Sarawak to develop its O&G industry knowledge and capabilities, generating jobs and promoting technological development in the state. Sarawak can strengthen its position and ensure future prosperity by ensuring that future development is in line with its nuanced needs and priorities rather than being limited by federal interests. This can be achieved by having a defining say in resource management decisions. * Toman Mamora is 'Tokoh Media Sarawak 2022', recipient of Shell Journalism Gold Award (1996) and AZAM Best Writer Gold Award (1998). He remains true to his decades-long passion for critical writing as he seeks to gain insight into some untold stories of societal value. MA63 oil and gas PDA Petronas Petros sarawak
