KUCHING: Sarawak has reached a settlement regarding rights and power in managing and using land on the continental shelf in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the matter was discussed at the first meeting of the National Energy Council chaired by Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya recently.

Through the meeting, he said it was decided that land is a matter under the inviolable legislative and executive powers of the state.

"It is true that the continental shelf extends up to 200 nautical miles, but below that it cannot affect the jurisdiction of the state, its boundaries cannot be changed. It has to be respected.

"So, we discussed that last sentence, which states that rights within state borders cannot be touched. Alhamdulillah, we have solved that problem,” he said while speaking at the Sarawak Premier's Department Hi-Tea Ceremony at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, on Monday.

With the assurance of Sarawak's bright future, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari hopes that young leaders can maintain the glory that has been achieved and continue the efforts to advance this country in a better direction.

Among those present were wife to the Sarawak Premier, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premiers of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak Transport Minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, and Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai.

Also present were Sarawak State Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Deputy Ministers, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operation), Datu Hii Chang Kee, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Administration), Datu Buckland Bangik, Heads of Departments, and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews