KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak Senator Dato’ Ahmad Ibrahim has reminded that Sarawak’s rights over its oil and gas resources are guaranteed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution, not granted as a favour by the Federal Government.

He was responding to recent remarks by former minister Zaid Ibrahim and the MP for Pasir Gudang, which he said ignored key facts about Sarawak’s legal position.

“Both have spoken about the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74) as if it overrides everything else. What they left out is that the law was passed during Emergency rule, when the Federal Government had extra powers to make laws even in State matters,” he explained.

Dato’ Ahmad pointed out that when the Emergency was lifted in 2011, those special powers ended and Sarawak’s full constitutional rights were restored.

“This means the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, which was never repealed, remains the law in Sarawak. It also means Sarawak acted lawfully in setting up PETROS in 2017,” he said.

He stressed that under MA63, matters of land and natural resources fall under the State List, making oil and gas within Sarawak’s boundaries part of the state’s jurisdiction.

“MA63 is the foundation of Malaysia. PDA74 was an Emergency law. They are not equal. Sarawak is simply reclaiming what has always been ours,” he said.

The senator added that PETROS should not be seen as a challenge to Petronas, but as Sarawak exercising its rightful authority.

“Sarawak’s rights are not concessions. They are legal and constitutional. To twist the facts is to mislead the people,” Dato’ Ahmad said. -UKASnews