Dapsy’s response deflects from urgent Sarawak rights issues, says SUPP Youth chief

SIBU (Jan 16): Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth chief Kevin Lau has criticised the response by Democratic Active Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak secretary George Lam to his call for greater unity among Sarawak MPs, describing it as “deflecting responsibility rather than delivering meaningful outcomes for Sarawak”.

Lau clarified that his call for all Sarawak MPs — particularly DAP MPs, who form a significant component of the federal government — to take a more proactive and united stand in defending Sarawak’s rights was not an attack on any political party.

“It is a call for accountability and responsibility, which Sarawakians rightfully expect from their elected representatives,” he said in a statement.

Lau added that, ironically, Lam’s remarks also acknowledged that the 23 Sarawak MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) remain the main driving force in advancing and safeguarding Sarawak’s rights.

He said Dapsy’s statement had diverted attention from the real and urgent issue — Petroliam Nasional Berhad’s (Petronas) recent move to apply to the Federal Court for clarification on the regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak.

“This move can reasonably be viewed as a disguised challenge to Sarawak’s laws and state authority, and it should be the primary concern of all leaders who genuinely stand up for Sarawak’s rights,” said Lau.

As part of the GPS coalition, SUPP has never shied away from asserting Sarawak’s rights, he stressed.

“Our position has always been consistent – Sarawak’s ownership and regulatory authority over its resources must be respected in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Federal Constitution, and Sarawak laws.”

Lau said it was GPS MPs who prevented the first constitutional amendment bill from being rushed through the Dewan Rakyat in 2019 and insisted that it be referred to a Parliamentary Select Committee for thorough review to ensure all aspects of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) were properly addressed.

He noted that the subsequent constitutional amendment to restore MA63’s equal status was led by the then Law Minister and current Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and was successfully passed in 2021.

Furthermore, Lau said the GPS-led Sarawak government, under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, took decisive action by enforcing the Gas Distribution Ordinance (GDO) 2016 — a key assertion of Sarawak’s authority over gas distribution within the state.

The ordinance regulates the distribution, supply, and retail of gas in Sarawak and requires companies to obtain licences from the Sarawak government.

“In addition, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) has been designated as the state gas aggregator under Sarawak law. These are concrete actions, not political rhetoric,” he said.

While DAP Sarawak may continue to raise historical narratives, Lau said what matters most today is courage, sincerity, and responsibility in safeguarding Sarawak’s interests.

Lau also reminded that following the change of federal government in 2018, Petronas took the Sarawak government to court over regulatory authority and the imposition of State Sales Tax (SST).

At that time, he said, the federal government led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with Lim Guan Eng as Finance Minister, opposed Petronas paying SST to Sarawak.

“It was only after Sarawak succeeded in court that Petronas eventually complied,” he said.

“Today, Petronas is once again pursuing legal action involving Sarawak laws and Petros as the sole gas aggregator. Where were the strong voices of DAP then — and where are they now?”

Lau emphasised that this is the time for true leadership, calling on leaders within the federal government to push for meaningful reforms rather than political posturing..

“We must not lose sight of the bigger picture and the serious risks posed to Sarawak’s laws and authority under the guise of legal clarification,” he stressed.

“Sarawak deserves unity, firmness, and concrete action — not political deflection.”