Dato Lo Khere Chiang
KUCHING (Jan 1) Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang underscored Sarawak’s ongoing challenges within the Federation of Malaysia, referencing an analysis by former Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) lecturer Murray Hunter.
Citing Hunter’s article, ‘Sarawak After 61 Years in the Malaysian Federation: Where to Now? – Analysis’, published in the Journal of Conflict and Peace Studies last Sunday, Lo highlighted that the report had offered a ‘sobering’ examination of the state’s position after six decades within the Federation.
“The article accurately highlights the ongoing challenges Sarawak faces within the Federation. Judging from the many discussions and articles circulating today, it is clear that sentiments among Sarawakians regarding our rights and autonomy are growing stronger,” said Lo in a recent statement.
Furthermore, he highlighted Peninsular Malaysia’s refusal to recognise Sarawak’s legal rights under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, to recognise Petroleum Sarawak Berhad as the state’s sole gas aggregator.
“This matter, details of which are yet to be fully divulged to the public by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, directly impacts Sarawak’s economy. It exemplifies how our resources are being managed and controlled in ways that deprive us of vital funds necessary for Sarawak’s development,” he said.
Similarly, Lo highlighted Peninsular Malaysia’s claim over Sarawak’s continental shelf, even after the lifting of emergency rule, as another example of the disregard for the state’s constitutional and territorial rights.
“The continental shelf, rich in untapped resources, is critical to Sarawak’s future economic growth. Yet, this wealth continues to be contested, diminishing Sarawak’s ability to chart its own course.
“As Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised in a recent address, (Malaysia Agreement) 1963 did not vest any land comprising the continental shelf within Sarawak’s boundaries in the Federation or the federal government.
“Hence, the federal government has no property rights to Sarawak’s seabed and sub-soil or its continental shelf, as these were vested solely in the state of Sarawak by operation of law,” he claimed.
Lo further pointed out that the boundaries of Sarawak, protected under Article 2 of the Federal Constitution, cannot be altered without the consent of the state legislature, thereby reaffirming that the federal government has no property rights to Sarawak’s seabed, subsoil, or its continental shelf.
“Sarawakians need to know that the Continental Shelf Amendment Act 2009 explicitly protects state rights over the seabed and subsoil within state boundaries, reinforcing Sarawak’s sovereignty.
“Sarawak’s claim to its oil and gas resources within its territory is neither baseless nor unreasonable. These rights have been historically exercised both during British colonial rule and post-independence,” he added.
Moreover, Lo claimed that the longstanding failure to fulfil the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has “hindered Sarawak’s equal status within the Federation, particularly in regards to fair parliamentary representation”.
In this regard, Lo pointed out that the growing awareness of the state’s injustices have sparked a collective desire for independence, stating that many Sarawakians are likely to support it in a referendum.
To this end, he underscored Sarawak’s potential to thrive independently, drawing on Singapore’s success as an example.
