Warisan man slams minister for urging Sabah to take ‘gentle’ stance on Petronas

KOTA KINABALU (March 5): Parti Warisan (Warisan) Strategic Communication Director Christopher Masudal has criticised recent remarks by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who urged Sabah to adopt a “gentle” approach toward Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).

Masudal questioned whether the ministry exists to defend Sabah’s constitutional rights or to discourage the state from asserting them, calling the minister’s position “deeply disappointing and fundamentally misplaced”.

“As Minister in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, Mustapha’s primary responsibility is not to shield Petronas from scrutiny, nor to caution Sabah against asserting its constitutional rights.

“His mandate exists precisely to ensure that long-standing issues affecting Sabah and Sarawak – including the implementation of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), oil and gas ownership, the Territorial Sea Act 2012 and fiscal equity — are robustly defended at the federal level,” he said in a statement.

He emphasised that Sabah’s rights over its natural resources are constitutionally guaranteed under MA63, and that the ministry was created to strengthen the state’s bargaining position, resolve disputes involving federal laws such as the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, and ensure equitable development and revenue distribution.

Masudal warned that the ministry should not act as a public relations shield for Petronas, adding that if the minister does not use his federal platform to argue Sabah’s and Sarawak’s case firmly within Cabinet and relevant agencies, the states’ interests could be undermined.

“No one disputes Petronas’ global standing or economic contribution. However, Petronas exists because of the petroleum resources of Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan and Terengganu.

“Sabah’s oil and gas reserves are not federal charity — they are constitutional assets. A stronger Sabah position does not equal ‘harming’ Petronas; it strengthens Malaysia by correcting imbalance.

“Sarawak’s legal challenge is not an attack — it is a constitutional clarification. Seeking judicial interpretation of federal-state powers is mature federalism, not aggression.

“The question that Mustapha should answer now is simple: Why should Sabah pre-emptively limit itself?” he said.

He also expressed concern over claims that Sabah lacks capacity compared to Sarawak, arguing that capacity is built through control rather than dependency.

Masudal said without asserting upstream rights and participating in the supply chain, Sabah risks remaining in a subordinate position, whereas Sarawak developed its ecosystem by asserting control.

On regional solidarity, Masudal said the Borneo Bloc — promoted by leaders within Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) — was meant to unite Sabah and Sarawak on MA63, resource rights, and federal balance.

He warned that Sabah distancing itself from Sarawak’s position on oil and gas risks weakening the bloc’s bargaining power in Parliament and Cabinet.

“When Sabah appears to distance itself from Sarawak’s constitutional position on oil and gas, it risks weakening the very regional solidarity that the Borneo Bloc was meant to represent.

“Regional strength comes from alignment — not hesitation.

“Let us be clear, the Petroleum Development Act 1974, passed after the formation of Malaysia, fundamentally altered control over natural resources.

“Sabah and Sarawak’s consent and interpretation of this framework remain contested.

“If the Ministry does not firmly advocate for re-examination of such foundational matters, it risks becoming ceremonial rather than substantive,”he said.

Masudal added that prolonged disputes could erode investor confidence as investors prefer clarity over ambiguity.

Seeking judicial clarification provides certainty. Ambiguity creates risk. Responsible governance requires defining constitutional boundaries clearly — not avoiding the question, he said.

“Sabah continues to face infrastructure deficits, revenue limitations, development imbalance compared to Peninsular Malaysia and outmigration of talent. The oil and gas revenue structure directly impacts these realities.

“A ‘gentle’ approach may be politically convenient — but structural inequality requires structural reform,” he said.

Masudal concluded that as a federal minister tasked with bridging regional grievances, Mustapha should prioritise Sabah and Sarawak’s interests, support constitutional clarification of petroleum powers, and align Sabah’s strategy with broader East Malaysian interests.

He added that protecting Petronas and protecting Sabah are not mutually exclusive, but if forced to choose, the minister must prioritise the states’ constitutional and fiscal rights.

“The Borneo Bloc must stand for something greater than electoral arithmetic. It must stand for MA63 justice, oil and gas sovereignty, fiscal equity and constitutional balance within the Federation.

“Sabah should not fear asserting its rights simply because Sarawak has chosen to do so more assertively.

“History does not reward regions that negotiate from hesitation. It rewards those who negotiate from conviction,” he said.