O&G rights: Chong misleading people to score political points, says Lo
Lo Khere Chiang
KUCHING (Feb 9): Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s claim that the Sarawak government may have surrendered its oil and gas rights to the federal government for the second time is both misleading and irresponsible, said Datuk Lo Khere Chiang.
The Batu Kitang assemblyman accused the Sarawak DAP chairman as taking the “easier route” to criticise the state government instead of directly challenging federal decisions in Parliament.
“Instead of utilising his position in Parliament to demand answers or clarifications from the minister, Chong has chosen the easier route—stirring up emotions and misleading the people to score political points,” he said in a statement today.
He was responding to Chong’s remarks at a press conference on Saturday where the latter expressed concern over an alleged agreement reached between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during a meeting on Jan 7 this year regarding the state’s oil and gas rights.
Chong remarks were based on a written parliamentary reply by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, which indicated that Sarawak had acknowledged the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 as the primary legislation governing petroleum operations—effectively sidelining state laws.
In his statement, Lo questioned why Chong did not seek immediate clarification from Azalina in Parliament—choosing instead to raise the issue in a press conference.
Accusing the MP of only fighting when it benefits him politically, Lo said Chong’s “inaction speaks volumes” and that “true leaders fight where it matters most”.
He stressed that Sarawak has always maintained its position that both the PDA and the Territorial Sea Act were never endorsed by the State Legislative Assembly, and remain a contentious issue.
He also insisted that the state’s Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 continues to govern Sarawak resources, and that the state’s territorial boundaries are non-negotiable.
“Under the leadership of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the state government has taken significant steps to secure greater control over Sarawak’s oil and gas sector, including establishing state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros),” he said.
He also pointed out that through negotiations, Sarawak has secured a larger share of revenue and strengthened its legal rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“What has the DAP done in advocating for Sarawak’s rights at the federal level? DAP has over 40 MPs in Parliament, yet what have they done to support Sarawak’s claim?
“Instead of demanding action from his own party, Chong chooses to attack Sarawak’s own leaders—the very people working to secure our future.”
Lo also noted that Chong had remained silent when Petros was announced as Sarawak’s sole gas aggregator.
“However, he quickly speaks out whenever an opportunity to attack GPS arises. If he truly wants to be a responsible opposition leader, he should take inspiration from Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii, who despite being in the DAP is respected for his constructive engagements rather than baseless attacks,” he said.
Lo thus called on Sarawakians to stand behind Abang Johari and the GPS, whom he credited for bringing real progress in securing Sarawak’s future.
“Our future is too important to be left in the hands of those who only make noise after the fact and take no action,” he said.
https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/02/09/og-rights-chong-misleading-people-to-score-political-points-says-lo/
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