PDP Youth warns against literal reading of MA63 on O&G

MIRI (Jan 29): Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Youth has challenged the notion that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) silence on oil and gas matters amounts to a denial of Sarawak’s rights.

The wing warned that such literal interpretation risks undermining the historic pact’s foundational purpose.

In a statement, PDP Youth chief David Yeo Ang Lim said that while he respects recent remarks by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on MA63 and oil and gas governance, the agreement must be understood within a broader constitutional and historical context.

“MA63 was never intended as a sector-by-sector contract. It is a foundational agreement that formed Malaysia as a federation based on negotiation, protection of rights, autonomy and mutual trust,” Yeo said, responding to Azalina’s recent comments, which have sparked public debate in Sarawak.

He argued that interpreting MA63’s silence as a denial of rights would fundamentally undermine its original intent, as the pact was designed to preserve existing powers unless explicitly and legally amended.

“When Sarawak joined Malaysia, it had its own legislative body and laws, including the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO 1958) governing petroleum resources.

“The spirit of MA63 was to maintain these powers unless clearly amended,” he said.

Yeo also stressed that economic autonomy is meaningless without a fiscal foundation.

“Governance requires fiscal capacity and control over development triggers. It is unreasonable to expect Sarawak’s autonomy to be merely administrative while its main economic resources are centralised without meaningful negotiation,” he added.

He noted that constitutional interpretation should not presume that silence equates to surrender of rights, particularly when existing laws and powers were already in place before federation.

He acknowledged the ongoing cooperation between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) as a recognition of Sarawak’s unique position, describing this cooperative federalism as the most suitable approach for ensuring national unity and stability.

PDP Youth fully supports Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) consistent approach of championing the state’s rights through constitutional channels, constructive dialogue, and the spirit of federation.

“Discussions on MA63 should not be viewed narrowly or literally, but must consider the original purpose of Malaysia’s formation as a federation of equal partners,” Yeo said.

He added that continued cooperation between the Sarawak government and the federal government, including Petros’ engagement with Petronas, shows that negotiation and mutual respect can produce stable solutions without compromising national interests.

PDP Youth called for MA63’s spirit of justice, meaningful autonomy, and cooperative federalism to be maintained in line with GPS’ aspirations for a strong Sarawak within a united Malaysia.