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Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Yap: Don't blame Sarawak's oil demands for federal fiscal woes
Wilfred Yap – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (Aug 7): Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has rebutted former economy minister Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli's recent remarks suggesting that increasing Sarawak's share of oil and gas revenues could impact Malaysia's sovereign credit rating and lead to higher interest on national debt. He said it was 'misleading and unfair' to imply that recognising Sarawak's rightful entitlements could destabilise the country's financial position, warning that such a narrative risks turning the state into a scapegoat for deeper federal inefficiencies. 'Sarawak's demands are not arbitrary. They are grounded in legal and constitutional foundations, including the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962, and the Federal Constitution – all of which recognise Sarawak's autonomy over land and natural resources,' he said in a statement. He pointed out that from 1976 to 2020, Petronas had contributed over RM1.2 trillion to the federal government, while Sarawak – a major oil and gas producer – received only a 5 per cent royalty in return. 'To suggest that correcting this longstanding imbalance could threaten Malaysia's finances is to ignore the deeper issue, namely the federal government's over-reliance on Petronas as a fiscal lifeline in distribution of resources, and a long-term plan for national productivity. 'It should not be propped up by extractive dependence on Sarawak's oil and gas, but by reforms that enhance tax efficiency, reduce leakages, and grow high-value sectors across the country,' he said. Yap said Malaysia must transition away from a centralised model of dependency. He pointed out that a resilient economy is built on diversification and not on the back of one company, one region, or one commodity. 'The future lies in inclusive economic development, sound fiscal management, and transparent governance – not in questioning the constitutional rights of Sarawak.' He also defended Sarawak's legal authority to manage its own resources through legislation such as the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 and Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016. 'Petros, our state-owned oil and gas entity, works professionally and transparently in full legal compliance. This is not rebellion; it is responsible governance,' he stressed. He warned that attempting to frame Sarawak's rightful share as a fiscal threat sends the wrong signal not just to Sarawakians, but to the entire nation and the global market. 'Investor confidence, both domestic and foreign, is built on legal certainty, policy clarity, and institutional integrity. 'When Sarawak is given the fiscal space to develop, the entire country benefits. Investments in infrastructure, education, and industry in Sarawak will strengthen Malaysia's internal economy, uplift rural communities, and contribute to national GDP. 'This is the kind of decentralised development that Malaysia urgently needs,' he said. He reiterated that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak-led state government is not seeking confrontation, but justice under the Federal Constitution and the terms of MA63. 'It is unjust for Sarawak to continually be told to accept less in the name of 'national interest' when that 'interest' is skewed by federal inefficiency and poor financial planning. 'Let us move forward with mutual respect, equity, and sound fiscal policy. The time has come for Putrajaya to embrace a new budget philosophy; one that empowers all states, especially resource-contributing ones like Sarawak, and reduces unhealthy dependence on a single revenue source. 'Malaysia must learn to stand on its own two feet – not lean unfairly on Sarawak's oil and gas,' said Yap. oil and gas rafizi ramli Wilfred Yap
Borneo Post
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's water catchment levels stable despite dry weather, says Deputy Premier
Uggah speaks at the press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 31): Water catchment levels across Sarawak remain stable for now despite the hot and dry weather conditions affecting the state, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman said the Sarawak government had received weather and fire risk briefings from various agencies, including the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Fire and Rescue Department, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and Welfare Department. 'At the moment, the water catchment levels are still okay. JBALB informed us that the situation is currently stable, but we have instructed them to closely monitor and report any developments to the government. 'They have set up a dedicated committee to oversee all water sources. One area of concern is the Gelugus Water Treatment Plant in Lawas, Limbang Division, which is currently recording very low levels,' Uggah told a press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting here today. He revealed there have been 675 requests for drinking water supply across Sarawak involving 15,000 families, with the highest number in Miri. 'In the past, the state government had supplied 12 tankers to address such needs. Those tankers are now distributed across all divisions and are on standby,' he said. As of this noon today, 220 hotspots have been detected throughout Sarawak. However, Uggah said the situation remains under control, with only Mukah recording an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) level of 160. He said all Divisional Disaster Management Committees have been instructed to convene meetings and prepare response teams. 'We have directed all Resident's offices to be ready and to establish standby teams to deal with any emergencies,' he said. Uggah pointed out NREB revoked all open burning permits for plantations two weeks ago and has since prohibited all forms of open burning. Related story: Uggah: 220 hotspots detected across Sarawak, fire mitigation and water supply efforts mobilised Douglas Uggah Embas lead water catchment
Borneo Post
10-07-2025
- Borneo Post
Ex-arts association S'wak president pleads not guilty to using forged RM500k grant offer
According to the charge, Mazuki allegedly used a forged grant offer letter dated Jan 17, 2024, relating to the publication of a cultural book, with the intention of cheating. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 10): A former president of the Malaysian Association of Arts and Culture Activists Sarawak claimed trial in the Magistrates' Court here today on a charge of using a forged government grant offer letter in connection with the publication of a cultural book. Mazuki Tambi, 52, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan after the charge under Section 471 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 468 of the same Code, was read to him. According to the charge, Mazuki allegedly used a forged grant offer letter dated Jan 17, 2024, relating to the publication of a cultural book, with the intention of cheating. The offence was allegedly committed at around 12.18pm at a house on Jalan Cenderawasih, Semariang Baru here on Feb 21, 2024. It was informed that an administrative officer at the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts doubted the authenticity of the grant offer letter submitted by Mazuki, involving an approved amount of RM500,000. A thorough review carried out by the ministry revealed the letter was not genuine. Following a police report lodged, Mazuki was arrested on April 30 this year. The court fixed Aug 12, 2025 for pre-trial case management and allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM2,000 with one local surety. Mazuki was not represented by legal counsel.
Borneo Post
04-07-2025
- Borneo Post
Man in Kuching fined RM6,600 for meth possession, drug abuse
The offence was committed outside a house at Taman Hwa Ling, Jalan Matang here on February 18, 2025 at about 12.30pm. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 4): A 30-year-old man has been fined RM3,600 in default, eight months imprisonment by the Magistrates Court here today, for possessing 0.47grammes of methamphetamine. Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan meted out the sentence against Mohd Farus Junaidi after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952, punishable under Section 12(3) of the same Act. This section provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both, upon conviction. The offence was committed outside a house at Taman Hwa Ling, Jalan Matang here on February 18, 2025 at about 12.30pm. According to the facts of the case, police found a container holding six transparent plastic packets containing crystalline substances suspected to be methamphetamine in Mohd Farus's possession during an inspection. He was subsequently arrested and a chemist report later confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine. In a separate charge, Mohd Farus was also fined RM3,000, in default ten months' imprisonment, for drug abuse involving amphetamine and methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty under Section 15(1)(a) of the same Act, which carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, and mandatory supervision of up to three years. Magistrate Ling also ordered Mohd Farus to undergo police supervision for two years, upon payment of the fine or completion of his custodial sentence. The offence was committed at the Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Department Office here, on February 18, 2025 at about 2pm. He tested positive for both amphetamine and methamphetamine, which are listed under the First Schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The prosecution was conducted by Inspector Nur Syafiqa Nyaie Ilin, while Mohd Farus was unrepresented.
Borneo Post
02-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Fatimah: JKM gives mothers one month before acting on baby hatch cases
The Baby Hatch at BMC. – Photo By Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 2): The Social Welfare Department (JKM) must provide a one-month window for mothers of babies left at baby hatches to come forward before any further steps are taken, said Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. 'This is an existing JKM regulation. It is mandatory to allow a one-month period for the baby's mother to come forward, in case she changes her mind and wants to take back and care for the child herself,' she said when contacted by Utusan Borneo . She was responding to public concerns over efforts by the Kuching Division Social Welfare Office (PKMB) to trace the mother of a baby boy placed at the Baby Hatch at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) on June 15, 2025. In a statement on Tuesday, PKMB Kuching said they were seeking the mother of the 14-day-old infant to obtain essential information for placement and birth certificate registration purposes. The move drew mixed reactions online, with some questioning whether it was appropriate to seek out the mother, given the confidential nature of baby hatches. Clarifying the matter, Fatimah reiterated that the tracing process is part of JKM's standard procedure, not to penalise the mother, but to give her a chance to reclaim the child if she changes her mind within the stipulated timeframe. She added that if the baby remains under JKM's care, its officers will manage the birth certificate registration process. The certificate, issued by the National Registration Department (JPN), can be completed even without the parents' details. 'If the baby's parents are unknown, the birth certificate will state 'NO INFORMATION' in the mother's name column,' she said. Currently attending the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Early Childhood Development 2025 in Manila, Bangkok, Fatimah further noted that if the baby is later adopted, a citizenship application may be submitted under Article 15(A) of the Federal Constitution. She also stressed that baby hatches are a safe option and a lifeline for vulnerable infants. 'The act of placing a baby in a baby hatch is a sign that the mother wants the baby to be safe and to have a brighter future, while also keeping her identity confidential. 'I want to stress that tracking down the mother is part of JKM's existing procedure, to allow time in case the mother changes her mind and wants to reclaim and care for the baby herself,' she said. Meanwhile, PKMB Kuching confirmed that the case is still under investigation by the Child Protector at the Welfare Office under the Child Act 2001. baby hatch fatimah abdullah social welfare department
