S’wak leaves petroleum laws challenge to court, MA63 talks to focus on unresolved autonomy issues

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By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Feb 24: The upcoming Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting on March 2 will not touch on Sarawak’s petition now before the Federal Court challenging the applicability of key federal oil and gas laws in the State.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that the matter is now sub judice following Sarawak’s filing at the Federal Court.

“Well, the matter has been filed in the Federal Court. I think we’ll leave it to the court to make a decision.

“The whole purpose of filing the petition is to seek clarity from the court on the status of three of the federal laws — the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74), the Petroleum Mining Act 1966 (PMA66) and the Continental Shelf Act 1966 (CSA66),” he told reporters after officiating the Jerayawara Bubur Lambuk Saberkas 2026 programme at i-CATS University College today.

He added that as the case is before the court, it would not be proper for him to comment further.

The Sarawak government filed the petition on Monday (Feb 23) to challenge the applicability of the PDA74, PMA66 and CSA66 in the State, following a move by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) to question the validity of Sarawak’s petroleum laws.

Abdul Karim, who is also Saberkas president, said although disputes over oil and gas rights between Sarawak and PETRONAS have been ongoing, the petition specifically seeks judicial clarity on matters relating to natural resources, including oil and gas, as well as the State’s jurisdiction.

“If we take a look in depth and details, this petition is related to natural resources including oil and gas in Sarawak, as well as our jurisdiction,” he said.

He emphasised, however, that while the issue has been deliberated many times, it will not be part of discussions at the upcoming MTPMA63 meeting.

“I will be there. Various issues and outstanding matters will be raised but it will not be related to the court matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations) Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said all issues that have not been resolved under our MA63 such as health, education, Special Grant under Article 112D including the formula that have presented to the federal government, and Sarawak’s representation in Parliament will be priorities.

In addition, Abdul Karim said the March 2 meeting will also include discussions under his ministry’s portfolio, particularly on the devolution of powers in tourism.

“There will also be a matter under tourism on the devolution of power,” he said.

He added that discussions are expected to touch on the return of land handed over to the federal government but left undeveloped for over five years.

“There are various matters that have been successfully resolved and there are matters that require fine tuning which will be raised at the meeting,” he said.

Also present at the event were Telang Usan assemblyman and Saberkas vice president Datuk Dennis Ngau, Daro assemblyman and Saberkas secretary general Shafiee Ahmad, and i-CATS University College vice chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi. — DayakDaily

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