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Daily Express
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
PBK: Sabah, Sarawak losing tens of billion$ yearly in oil and gas wealth
Published on: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 12, 2025 Text Size: Voon said he had travelled to Sabah several times to promote the idea of independence and urged local nationalists to register their own political party, but the plan was abandoned due to the difficulty of securing approval. Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) President Voon Lee Shan claimed Sabah and Sarawak are losing tens of billions of ringgit each year in oil and gas wealth to the Federal Government, warning that the two Borneo states risk being 'drained dry' if they remain in the Malaysian federation. He alleged Sabah could have lost around RM90 billion annually and Sarawak RM110 billion since the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74) placed control of petroleum resources under Petronas. Advertisement These estimates, Voon said, were based on discussions with the late Sabah rights activist Zainnal Ajamain and production data disclosed in 2017, when Petronas reportedly extracted about 850,000 barrels of Sarawak crude oil from 60 wells. 'The real figures are unknown because all information is classified under the Official Secrets Act and only the Prime Minister has access. 'Our State Governments cannot even see the records. The longer we wait, the more we lose,' he said in a statement, Monday. Voon argued that annual Federal development allocations, usually under RM6 billion for each State, pale in comparison to the wealth taken from Sabah and Sarawak, leaving both lagging behind in infrastructure and economic growth. He likened the current arrangement to colonialism, saying political history shows that colonial powers have the legal and political right to exploit the natural resources and manpower of the territories they control. 'It is difficult to say Sabah and Sarawak are not colonies of Malaya,' he said. Citing Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's 2018 remarks that Sabah and Sarawak had sought autonomy rather than independence, Voon emphasised that Dr Mahathir had also acknowledged an 'intrinsic right' for states to exit the federation, a right exercised by Singapore in 1965. 'Sabah and Sarawak should not delay freeing themselves from imperialism and colonialism,' he said. Voon said he had travelled to Sabah several times to promote the idea of independence and urged local nationalists to register their own political party, but the plan was abandoned due to the difficulty of securing approval. PBK itself, he said, took seven years before being registered in 2013. He had also tried to persuade several politicians to turn their parties into nationalist platforms, but they were reluctant to campaign for independence. 'This is why PBK, which originated in Sarawak, has now entered the Sabah political scene ahead of the 17th State Election to provide a political vehicle for Sabahans who want to push for full independence. 'There will be no merger of Sabah and Sarawak if both become independent, but we have to help each other,' Voon said. He said PBK is looking for candidates 'willing to sacrifice' for the cause. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
Malay Mail
09-08-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
No ‘opportunists': Sarawak-based Parti Bumi Kenyalang eyes Sabah seats, tells potential recruits to fund their own campaigns
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 9 — Sarawak-based Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has also set its sights on contesting in the upcoming Sabah state elections. Its president, Voon Lee Shan, said the party will first conduct thorough vetting of each potential candidate before allowing them to contest under its banner, stressing they must be committed to PBK's objectives and the fight for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak. Voon claimed that many individuals had approached PBK to offer themselves as candidates, but the party would scrutinise them closely and be selective. 'Those who want to be candidates are welcome, but they will not be sponsored by the party. We accept candidates from various backgrounds of Sabahans. They must be able to fund their campaign activities. We do not want opportunists,' he said after officiating the launch of Sabah PBK near Penampang today. He said the party has yet to decide how many seats it will contest. On partnerships, Voon made it clear that PBK will only work with local Sabah parties that share their cause. 'We will not accept cooperation from Peninsular-based parties,' he stressed. Voon added that the party's push for independence for Sabah and Sarawak remains central to its political agenda. Asked why he believes PBK can win Sabahans' trust despite limited support in Sarawak, Voon said it was due to shared issues and concerns, noting that PBK Sabah is led by locals who uphold the 'Sabah for Sabahans' belief.. Former nominated assemblyman Datuk Ronnie Loh has been appointed as deputy chairman of PBK, and his wife, Soh Kee Suat, as Sabah chairman. PBK was registered in 2013 and formed to fight for the independence of Sabah and Sarawak. Another Sarawak party, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) led by Datuk Larry Sng, will contest independently in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election. Among the constituencies PBM is eyeing are Bandau, Tanjung Papat and Kadamaian. — The Borneo Post
The Star
09-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Struggling Sarawak PBK expands into Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Sarawak-based Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), which has struggled to gain traction in its home state, is now trying its luck in Sabah ahead of the upcoming state election. PBK president Voon Lee Shan announced the launch of the party's Sabah chapter and invited people to step forward as potential candidates. 'Those who wish to stand as candidates must fund their own campaign. We do not want opportunists,' he said at the launch ceremony here yesterday. At the event, former nominated assemblyman Datuk Ronnie Loh – who was previously with DAP and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat – was named deputy chairman, while his wife Soh Kee Suat was appointed as Sabah chairman. Soh, a former aide to several local assemblymen, also served as private secretary to Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat during his tenure as chief minister in the early 2000s. Voon said that while many had offered to contest under PBK's banner, the party would vet all applicants carefully. He reiterated that the party's core struggle – advocating for the independence of Sabah and Sarawak – would remain central to its political agenda. Asked why he believed PBK could win support in Sabah when it had yet to do so in Sarawak, Voon said many Sabahans were now facing similar frustrations and concerns, adding that PBK's Sabah leadership comprises locals who uphold the 'Sabah for Sabahans' belief.
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
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PBK to hold ‘People's Parliament' assembly on May 17 to address oil rights, MA63
Voon Lee Shan KUCHING (May 10): Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) intends to hold a peaceful assembly called the People's Parliament on May 17 between 3.30pm and 6pm at the vicinity of the Old Kuching Court House and Kuching Waterfront here. According to PBK president Voon Lee Shan, the event aims to explain the party's position and strategies on protecting Sarawak's oil and gas resources, which are currently under the control of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) through the Petroleum Development Act 1974. He added that the assembly will also seek to address details surrounding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), as well as raise concerns regarding Sarawak's oil rights. 'Sarawak will never have a fair deal in the share of the oil and gas resources, and PBK will explain the reasons why to the public during the assembly,' he claimed. PBK will also raise issues about the current political situations affecting Sarawak. Voon assured the public that PBK's peaceful assembly is not illegal. 'Police had been informed by PBK of this People's Parliament and members of public are invited to come. Under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 police are to provide public security and are not to harass any persons attending the assembly,' he explained. 'The right to hold peaceful public assembly is protected by law and the constitution,' he added. assembly Parti Bumi Kenyalang Petroleum Development Act 1974 Voon Lee Shan
