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Borneo Post
4 days 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
The Star
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
S'wak redelineation talks with Putrajaya ongoing, state assembly told
filepic of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex in Kuching in sharon's e-mail KUCHING: Discussions on a constituency redelineation exercise for Sarawak are ongoing with the Federal Government, says a deputy minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department. Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said no final decision had been made on the redelineation exercise or the number of additional seats for Sarawak. "The Sarawak government has consistently pursued the demand to restore the one-third representation each for Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat as envisaged under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962," she said in a written reply in the state assembly on Friday (May 23). Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (GPS-Bawang Assan) had asked when the redelineation exercise would be completed and how many additional state and parliamentary seats would be created. "In respect to the demand for additional seats for Parliament and the state assembly, the discussion is ongoing and the number has yet to be finalised. "The discussions on strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of MA63," Sharifah Hasidah said, adding that the state government would continue to pursue the matter.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No final decision on re-delineation of Sarawak electoral boundaries
KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, today said no final decision has been made yet on the proposed re-delineation exercises of electoral boundaries in Sarawak. She said discussions between the state government and the federal government were ongoing. "In respect to the demand for additional seats for parliamentary and state constituencies, the discussion is still ongoing and the exact number of additional seats has yet to be finalised," she said when replying to Bawang Assan State Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh during a question-and-answer session in the State Assembly. Sharidah Hasidah said that the discussions in relation to strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of MA63, and the Sarawak government would continue to pursue the matter. She said the Sarawak government had consistently pursued the demand to restore the one-third representation for Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat, as originally envisaged under the MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report 1962. Wong had wanted to know when the constituency re-delineation exercises would be completed and how many additional parliamentary and state seats would be provided.
