Latest news with #PDA74
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Voon tight-lipped on PBK's election plans, says strategy in place
Voon speaking at the event. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (May 25): Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan was coy on the number of seats the party will contest in the coming state election. He was quick to emphasise, however, that the party has strategies in place to contest the election. 'I cannot disclose at this moment how many seats we are going to contest. The committee has not decided (yet). But we have strategies on how to fight this next (state) election. 'Our strategy is very simple. Our strategy is that we are consistent in our struggle for Sarawak independence in a peaceful and legal manner. 'So, in order to achieve this, we must form the government. Only when you are in the government can you bring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to declare it null and void, or to Parliament or whatever legal avenue,' he told reporters. Voon made these remarks when met after the Sarawak People's Justice Dinner organised by PBK at a local restaurant here last night. The event was chaired by the party's youth chief, Moh Hiong King. For the record, in the 2021 Sarawak election, PBK contested 73 out of the 82 seats but failed to win any. Voon also expressed concern over the issue of oil and gas rights, underscoring the limitations posed by the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74). 'Until and unless the PDA74 is revoked or repealed, oil and gas remain under the control of Petronas. That is the law. And the Constitution is very clear,' he said. Meanwhile, PBK supreme council member Awang Badele urged the state government to provide electricity subsidies to ease the burden of those in the B40 and M40 income groups. He also called for the acceleration of perimeter surveys on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land and proposed an environmental allowance for residents in Bintulu, citing its role as a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) production hub. 'We are giving constructive suggestions to the government so that they can be implemented to benefit the people,' said Awang. Also present at the dinner were PBK deputy president Peli Aron, vice president Dr Richard Ibuh, organising chairman Moh Hiong King, and PBK life president Yu Chin Liik. Parti Bumi Kenyalang state election Voon Lee Shan
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Petronas operating in Sarawak ‘on borrowed time', says SUPP rep
Petronas' presence was only allowed with Sarawak's consent because federal laws do not automatically apply to the state unless it was adopted by the state's legislature, according to SUPP's Wilfred Yap. (AFP pic) PETALING JAYA : National oil and gas company Petronas has been operating in Sarawak 'on borrowed time' from a constitutional perspective, according to a Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) assemblyman. Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said Article 95D of the Federal Constitution stipulates that federal laws do not automatically apply to Sarawak unless adopted by the state's legislature, Dayak Daily reported. Wilfred Yap. Since Sarawak has never adopted the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74), Petronas' presence in the state, he argued, was only 'allowed with Sarawak's consent'. 'PDA74 is powerful but powerless in Sarawak. Petronas leans heavily on the PDA74, which gives it control over petroleum resources nationwide,' he was quoted as saying during a motion of appreciation on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's address in the state legislative assembly yesterday. 'But here's the catch: the PDA74 is a federal law, and in Sarawak, federal laws don't walk through the door uninvited.' Yap, a lawyer by training, pointed out that Sarawak's control over its natural resources is safeguarded by several key instruments, including the Federal Constitution, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, and the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016. He added that MA63 was a foundational treaty meant to guarantee Sarawak's autonomy over its resources, not just a historical footnote. 'These amendments are legally binding. Any claim that Sarawak must simply 'follow federal law' without its consent contradicts this constitutional reality,' Yap said. He also defended the state-owned oil and gas company, Petros, saying it operates on solid constitutional, legal, and moral grounds. 'Gas distribution within Sarawak falls squarely under the State List, because it involves land, infrastructure, and resources within the state's territory,' he said. Yap welcomed the recent joint statement between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, but warned that Petronas must not obstruct Sarawak's rights in the process. 'Petronas must align with the federal government's commitment to Sarawak and remove any unnecessary bureaucratic barriers. 'If Petronas continues to create obstacles, both the Sarawak and federal governments must address these challenges firmly to ensure that the agreed-upon collaboration is implemented effectively,' he said.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar and Abang Johari set to sign landmark oil & gas deal in 2 days
KUCHING: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg says that he and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are set to sign an agreement in two days to resolve long-standing issues surrounding Sarawak's oil and gas resources. "Just wait — there will be a formal document between the prime minister and myself concerning the oil and gas agreement," he said after officiating the International Construction Week (ICW) Borneo Region here. He was responding to questions about his recent meeting with Anwar, which focused on finalising matters related to negotiations between Petronas and Sarawak's state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros). Abang Johari hinted that the federal government had agreed to recognise both the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74) and Sarawak's Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO) as coexisting legal instruments governing the industry. He also confirmed that Putrajaya recognised Petros as the sole aggregator of oil and gas resources in Sarawak. Abang Johari said both governments had reached a consensus on the commercial agreement between Petronas and Petros, including increasing Sarawak's equity in liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Bintulu. The Prime Minister's Office had earlier issued a statement confirming that both parties had come to an agreement aimed at resolving all prior disputes and facilitating closer collaboration between Petronas and Petros. The statement said that the move was vital to unlocking the sector's full potential and ensuring its effective implementation, including the expedited commercial supply of energy to Asean nations. The high-level meeting took place at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya on May 9 and was attended by top executives from both Petronas and Petros. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between the Sarawak government and Petronas. Recently, the Sarawak government issued a legal notice alleging that Petronas Carigali was operating unlawfully in the state, having failed to comply with Section 7(e) of the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016. Petronas Carigali was given 21 days to obtain the necessary operating licence, with failure to do so potentially resulting in financial penalties under Section 21A of the same ordinance. Last week, Petronas failed in its bid to secure a court injunction at the Kuching High Court to halt a suit filed by Petros. The suit challenges Petronas over unpaid gas revenues and seeks to prevent the court from proceeding with the case. Abang Johari recently commented that he was "playing ball" with Petronas amid the ongoing legal and political negotiations over natural gas rights in Sarawak.
Daily Express
03-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Petronas using 'every trick under the sun' to undermine Sarawak's rights
Published on: Saturday, May 03, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 03, 2025 Text Size: Bernama KUCHING: Political analyst Dato Peter Minos has accused Petronas of using 'every trick under the sun' to weaken Sarawak's control over its oil and gas resources, describing the national oil company's alleged tactics as unacceptable, DayakDaily reported. Minos said attempts to use the 'flawed' Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74) to erase Sarawak's rights, along with pressure campaigns against the State and its energy company Petros, must be opposed. 'Using flawed PDA74 to erase our rights is simply unacceptable. Applying pressure on Sarawak by underhanded tactics, like threats and press war, is also unacceptable,' he was quoted as saying. He stressed that oil and gas within Sarawak's territory and continental shelf rightfully belong to the State, under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 and by natural rights. 'We are not asking for the moon. We just want a bit more from our own oil and gas resources,' said Minos, urging Petronas to treat Sarawak with fairness. While acknowledging Petronas' role in national development, Minos reaffirmed the priority of Sarawak's rights. He called on Sarawakians to stand behind Petros in defending those rights. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
