Dap Supp Cross Swords Over Stance On Petroleum Development Act

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Sarawak has contended that the state retains its right to exploit its petroleum reserves under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 which predates the Petroleum Development Act 1974. (AFP pic)
PETALING JAYA: The youth wings of DAP and the Sarawak United People’s Party have accused each other of flip-flopping on their stance regarding a federal law amid the dispute over the state’s oil and gas rights.
Kuching SUPP Youth claimed that Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen had previously acknowledged the legitimacy of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, when he proposed for the state to buy shares in Petronas, Borneo Post reported.
Kuching SUPP Youth deputy training officer Morgan Kon said Chong had in 2018 urged the Sarawak government to buy Petronas shares, claiming that it would be the most cost-effective investment for the state.
Kon wondered why Chong is now opposing the PDA and accusing the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak of giving up Sarawak’s rights.
“DAP, as the largest party in the Pakatan Harapan government, is in a good position to fight for more tax rights for Sarawak,” he was quoted as saying.
Separately, Sarawak DAP Youth claimed SUPP had changed its stance on the PDA 1974.
The wing’s secretary, George Lam, claimed SUPP had initially rejected the PDA 1974 and even declared it illegal but has since acknowledged it by affirming the coexistence of both the PDA 1974 and the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958.
“This is outrageous to the people of Sarawak. In doing so, Sarawak has lost its bargaining power and is unable to make progress in reclaiming its rightful authority,” Lam was quoted by Borneo Post as saying.
He also said he was of the view that the SUPP leaders’ attack on DAP was an attempt to “confuse the public and evade accountability”.
Last month, Chong had accused the state government of having again surrendered its petroleum rights to the federal government, after the Dewan Rakyat was told that Sarawak had acknowledged and accepted the PDA 1974 as the governing legislation for Malaysia’s petroleum industry.
He contended that the enactment of the law in 1974 was Sarawak’s first defeat over its oil and gas rights.
Sarawak has contended that the state retains its right to exploit its petroleum reserves under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 which predates the PDA 1974. The state also imposed sales tax on Petronas.
However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat last month the two governments had recognised the PDA 1974 as a federal law, and agreed that Petronas and its subsidiaries retained all existing contractual obligations.
The following day, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the state also intended to pursue its right to explore for gas in areas off its coast and in the continental shelf.
On Saturday, Kuching SUPP Youth publicity secretary Hilary Lim dared Chong to take to court the fight for the state’s oil and gas rights.
Lim said Chong should file a suit and let the court determine the constitutionality of the PDA 1974. - FMT

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