Mayor: Sarawak’s court petition on petroleum laws shows maturity, upholds rule of law

KUCHING (Feb 24): Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has described the Sarawak government’s move to seek judicial determination on federal petroleum laws as a mature and principled approach grounded in respect for the rule of law.

“As Mayor of Kuching South, I stand firmly behind the Sarawak government in choosing this lawful and principled path.

“Seeking judicial clarification reflects maturity in governance and confidence in the rule of law. It demonstrates that Sarawak believes in institutions, not mere rhetoric,”  he said in a statement today.

His remarks came in response to Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazal, who announced yesterday that a petition had been filed in the Federal Court to determine the constitutional validity and continued applicability of the Petroleum Development Act 1974, the Continental Shelf Act 1966 and the Petroleum Mining Act 1966 to Sarawak.

According to Wee, clarity in the legal framework governing oil and gas is crucial for Sarawak’s long term economic stability.

He said the energy sector is not an abstract concept, it fuels investment, jobs, infrastructure and public services.

“When the rules are clear, businesses can plan with certainty and communities can prosper with confidence,” he added.

Wee noted that under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), certain rights over these resources were vested in Sarawak on Malaysia Day.

To explain the complexity of the issue, he likened it to a house built on a carefully drafted contract between partners, where any later renovation must respect the original design.

“Our Constitution is like a contract signed in good faith. It defines boundaries, powers and responsibilities so that each party knows where it stands. When interpretations differ, the proper course is to seek the wisdom of the court, not to argue over assumptions,” he said.

Wee emphasised that Sarawak’s position is not about confrontation, but about ensuring that the foundations agreed upon in 1963 remain respected within the Federation.

At the same time, he welcomed continued dialogue between the Sarawak and federal governments, describing constitutional recourse and constructive engagement as complementary efforts.

He called on Sarawakians to remain united and support the Sarawak government’s lawful efforts to safeguard the state’s rights for present and future generations.