Tuntut peruntukan satu pertiga kerusi Parlimen untuk Sarawak

 

Antara 14 Disember 2021 hingga sekarang (21 Feb 2022), tiga peristiwa yang sangat penting berlaku dalam landskap politik Malaysia, termasuk di Sarawak.

Pada 14 Dis 2021, Per 1(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan (FC) telah dipinda untuk menjadikan FC kita selaras dengan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63). Ini membuka jalan bagi status Sarawak untuk kembali menjadi rakan kongsi pengasas persekutuan Malaysia yang sama.

Tidak keterlaluan untuk mengatakan bahawa pindaan tersebut telah memberi sumbangan yang cukup ketara kepada kemenangan Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) dalam Pilihan Raya Negeri Sarawak ke-12 (PRN12) pada 18 Dis 2021. GPS memenangi 76 (daripada jumlah 82 kerusi yang dipertandingkan) memberi mereka lebih daripada majoriti dua pertiga di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN). Pada 15 Februari 2022, DUN meluluskan pertukaran nama/gelaran ketua kerajaan Sarawak, daripada Ketua Menteri kepada Perdana Menteri.

6 hari selepas DUN meluluskan pertukaran nama, menteri GPS, Perdana Menteri sendiri dan penggubal undang-undang GPS yang lain masih berusaha menjelaskan mengapa pertukaran nama diperlukan. (jangan ketawa)

Penjelasan yang paling sering digunakan adalah untuk membezakan antara Sarawak dan negeri-negeri di Tanah Malaya, terutamanya Pulau Pinang yang dipegang DAP. (Sekali lagi, tolong jangan ketawa)

Hari ini, Datuk Sharifah Hasidah, Menteri Muda di Jabatan Perdana Menteri bagaimanapun terus menggunakan istilah Jabatan Ketua Menteri. (🤣) dilaporkan sebagai berkata permintaan untuk perwakilan satu pertiga di parlimen masih berterusan. Satu perwakilan ketiga di parlimen dilihat sebagai salah satu manifestasi status rakan kongsi pengasas Sarawak yang sama.

Kerusi baru di parlimen hanya boleh diwujudkan atau dilakukan semasa proses persempadanan semula di bawah Perkara 113(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Persempadanan sedemikian hanya boleh dilakukan sekali dalam setiap 8 tahun. Bagi Sarawak, peraturan tahun ke-8 akan tamat pada tahun 2023 (Tarikh sebenar belum diketahui lagi).

Sebaik sahaja kajian persempadanan oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) selesai, parlimen perlu meluluskannya. Perkara 46 Perlembagaan Persekutuan memerlukan kelulusan majoriti dua pertiga di parlimen sebelum kerusi parlimen baru dapat diwujudkan.

Pada ketika ini kita mesti mengingatkan diri kita tentang sekurang-kurangnya 2 perkara: 

1.Terdapat 222 kerusi di parlimen hari ini. Satu pertiga daripada 222 adalah 74 kerusi. Hari ini Sarawak hanya mempunyai 31 kerusi. Untuk mencapai status yang sama, Sarawak memerlukan tambahan 43 kerusi. Tanpa ini, gelaran Perdana Menteri Sarawak adalah seperti yang dikatakan oleh beberapa penggubal undang-undang DAP sebagai "Syok Sendiri" sahaja. 

2. Kuasa dalam kerajaan diperoleh melalui kerusi yang parti atau gabungan parti mengawal di parlimen. Kuasa menentukan keupayaan parti atau gabungan untuk mencapai agenda mereka. Hari ini, negeri-negeri Malaya mempunyai 166 kerusi parlimen, kebanyakannya dikawal oleh gabungan Perikatan Nasional (PN). Ia mengawal kerusi-kerusi ini yang telah membolehkan kerajaan persekutuan yang digerakkan oleh UMNO merampas negeri-negeri Malaysia Timur Sarawak dan Sabah dan menolak agenda Ketuanan Melayu mereka selama 58 tahun yang lalu, banyak menjejaskan Sarawak dan Sabah.

Persoalan yang perlu ditanya sekarang ialah adakah negeri-negeri Malaya akan bersetuju dengan Sarawak untuk mempunyai satu pertiga perwakilan dalam parlimen?

Saya bukan ahli DAP dan saya juga bukan penyokong mereka jadi saya akan memberi Tan Sri Abang Johari, Perdana Menteri Sarawak, manfaat keraguan.  Saya ingin menggalakkan beliau untuk menggunakan status 'kingmaker' GPS dan mengeksploitasi kedudukan kerajaan persekutuan yang kini lemah supaya tambahan 43 kerusi yang diperlukan Sarawak untuk mencapai status sebenar yang baru dipinda Per 1(2) yang sepatutnya diberikan kepada Sarawak boleh dicapai sebelum pilihan raya umum akan datang.

Jika beliau tidak dapat berbuat demikian, maka saya amat menyeru pengundi untuk menolak GPS dalam PRU15 yang akan datang dan menghalang mereka daripada menjadi 'kingmaker' kepada gabungan Melayu buat kali ketiga.

Amendment To Federal Constitution - What Could Have Been.

 Amendment To Federal Constitution - What Could Have Been.

Sarawakians’ mood last Friday was noticeably downcast. They woke up to Sunday, 24th Oct 2021, reeling in disappointment.

The caption of a front page news in the Borneo Post screamed ‘ Postponed, not withdrawn’, in reference to the stalled proposed Bill to amend the federal constitution to make it completely in line with the MA63. The New Sarawak Tribune issue of the same day did 

Sarawakians and Sabahans were earlier told by the de facto Minister for Law & Parliament Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar that the Malaysian federal cabinet has agreed in principle with the proposed Bill. Sarawakians and Sabahans were also told that MPs from this 2 Borneon states were briefed on the proposed Bill. They recalled that there was no objections recorded from these MPs. As far as Sarawakians and Sabahans were concerned, it was good to go and they were finally going to see justice done to them before Oct 2021 go out.

The thoughts that pierced their psyche were: the GPS of Sarawak and the PN federal government have failed them, just as they have failed on countless times and occasions in the past, when they were collectively called Barisan Nasional.

They recalled that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, in their short 22 months stint as federal government managed to resolve almost all the thorny issues brought up by the Sarawak and Sabah government. Of the 21 issues brought up, 17 were resolved. It was just a matter of the Sarawak and Sabah state government to take the necessary actions to put into effect the agreement reached.

The remaining 4 issues that were still work-in-progress (not yet agreed on by the federal government) relates O&G matters and the Territorial Sea Act 2012.

The people of the 2 Borneon states recalled that the PH government also tabled a government Bill to amend the Federal Constitution, also to make it in line with the spirit of the MA63 but the Bill failed because GPS MPs knowingly and brazenly abstain from voting for the amendment. They had wanted the Bill to fail. Why they had decided that Sarawakians and Sabahans should be denied their legitimate rights, only they know.

The message that I want to share with my fellow Sarawakians and also with Sabahans is this: Let us together wake up from our collective slumber, recognise GPS for what they really are and show them the exit door in the coming PRN. Enough is enough.

MA63 – tiada apa yang perlu disembunyikan?

 MA63 – tiada apa yang perlu disembunyikan?

Jadi beritahu kebenaran, tiada apa-apa selain kebenaran dan lakukan sahaja!*

Kilas balik …… .memukul semak lagi ’….?

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/14/constitutional-amendment-must-include-pursuant-to-ma63-before-gps-will-vote-for-it-says-nancy-shukri

Cadangan pindaan perlembagaan untuk memulihkan Sarawak dan Sabah sebagai rakan kongsi setara di Malaysia, yang akan dibentangkan semula pada Mac, mesti memasukkan perkataan "menurut Perjanjian Malaysia 1963", kata ahli parlimen Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/536466

Kerajaan mengekalkan pendiriannya untuk tidak membuat laporan akhir daripada jawatankuasa khas kabinet untuk mengkaji semula pelaksanaan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63), tersedia kepada orang ramai.

Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (urusan Sabah dan Sarawak) Hanifah Hajar Taib mengatakan ini kerana dokumen tersebut telah diklasifikasikan sebagai rahsia rasmi di bawah Akta Rahsia Rasmi 1972.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2021/09/730730/call-ma63-final-report-be-made-public

Laporan akhir Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63) harus disebarkan kepada orang ramai untuk membolehkan orang lebih memahami kepentingannya, kata Pakatan Harapan Sabah.

Majlis Pimpinan PH Sabah dalam satu kenyataan berkata salah tafsir sejarah dan fakta terhadap MA63 telah menjadi salah satu sebab mengapa pelaksanaan penuh MA63 kekal sebagai cabaran 58 tahun pembentukan Malaysia.

"Sudah waktunya bagi kerajaan persekutuan untuk mengambil pendekatan yang bertanggungjawab untuk meletakkan fakta dengan jujur ​​seperti itu. Cukup banyak yang dilakukan untuk menghilangkan hak-hak Sabah dan Sarawak selama ini," kata mereka.

"Dengan bersikap telus dalam proses tersebut dan mengungkapkan laporan akhir kepada masyarakat, ini akan menjadi kesempatan untuk mendidik masyarakat bahawa MA63 adalah masalah kepentingan nasional dan bukan hanya masalah orang Sabah dan Sarawak.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/10/06/ma63-amendments-to-be-tabled-on-oct-26/

Beliau menambah pindaan perlembagaan adalah penting kerana ia akan "memberikan kejelasan mengenai kedudukan Sabah dan Sarawak serta rakyat, khususnya anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak".

Selama bertahun-tahun, berlaku hakisan di Sabah dan Sarawak seperti yang dinyatakan dalam MA63. Kami berharap dapat memperbetulkannya dengan mengubah beberapa peruntukan kritikal dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan, ”kata Wan Junaidi.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/bill-amend-federal-constitution-line-ma63-be-tabled-end-oct

Wan Junaidi berkata kerajaan, dengan bantuan Jabatan Peguam Negara (AGC), akan meninjau meminda beberapa peruntukan undang-undang kritikal dalam MA63 untuk mengembalikan hak rakyat di Sabah dan Sarawak, mengikut perjanjian pembentukan Malaysia.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/10/14/wan-junaidi-all-mps-must-support-to-amend-certain-articles-in-constitution/

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang-Undang) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar berharap mendapat sokongan dari semua anggota parlimen (RUU) ketika rang undang-undang untuk meminda artikel tertentu dalam perlembagaan persekutuan dibentangkan di Parlimen pada sidang berikutnya.

“Pindaan ini akan melengkapkan dan menambah inti kepada pembentukan Persekutuan Malaysia. Ia membetulkan anomali besar dalam perlembagaan persekutuan,”

Sesungguhnya - tidak ada yang akan dianggap lengkap kecuali apa yang telah dilupuskan dikembalikan sepenuhnya ke Sabah dan Sarawak, dalam semangat MA63.

Itu sahaja yang kami minta - bukan satu paun kurang, bukan satu paun lebih.

“No more beating around the bush, please”

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

(English)

*MA63 – nothing to hide ?

So tell the truth, nothing but the truth and just do it !*

 Flashback…….’beating around the bush again’….?

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/14/constitutional-amendment-must-include-pursuant-to-ma63-before-gps-will-vote-for-it-says-nancy-shukri

The proposed constitutional amendment to restore Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners in Malaysia, which will be re-tabled in March, must include the words "pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement 1963", says a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) lawmaker.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/536466

The government maintains its stand not to make the final report from the cabinet special committee to review the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), available to the public.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak affairs) Hanifah Hajar Taib said this was because the document has been classified as official secret under the Official Secrets Act 1972.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2021/09/730730/call-ma63-final-report-be-made-public

The final report of the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) should be made public to allow people to better understand its significance and importance, Sabah Pakatan Harapan said.

Sabah PH Leadership Council in a statement said historical and factual misinterpretation over MA63 had been one of the reasons why MA63's full implementation remained a challenge 58 years of the formation of Malaysia.

"It is time for the federal government to take the responsible approach of laying out the facts truthfully as it is. Enough has been done to whittle away the rights of Sabah and Sarawak over the years," they said.

"By being transparent of the process and disclosing the final report to the public, it would be an opportunity to educate people that MA63 is an issue of national interest and not only the concerns of Sabahans and Sarawakians.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/10/06/ma63-amendments-to-be-tabled-on-oct-26/

He added the constitutional amendments are crucial as it would “provide clarity on the position of Sabah and Sarawak as well as the people, particularly the natives of Sabah and Sarawak”.

Over the years, there has been erosion in Sabah and Sarawak rights as stated in MA63. We hope to rectify this by amending some critical provisions in the Federal Constitution,” Wan Junaidi said.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/bill-amend-federal-constitution-line-ma63-be-tabled-end-oct

Wan Junaidi said the government, with assistance from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), would be looking at amending several critical legal provisions in MA63 to reinstate the rights of the people in Sabah and Sarawak, as per the agreement upon the formation of Malaysia.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/10/14/wan-junaidi-all-mps-must-support-to-amend-certain-articles-in-constitution/

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar hopes to have the support from all members of parliament (MPs) when the bill to amend certain articles in the federal constitution is tabled in Parliament during the next sitting.

“These amendments will complete and add substance to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. It corrects a big anomaly in the federal constitution,”

Indeed – nothing will be considered complete unless what had been taken away were fully restored to both Sabah and Sarawak, in the spirit of MA63.

That’s all we are asking for – not a pound less, not a pound more.

No more beating around the bush, please

Negeri Sarawak Adil ia ke Sekular

                                                   Negeri Sarawak Adil ia ke Sekular

(Bahasa Iban)

Jaku ke patut ditanya semua rayat Sarawak ke ngembuan pikir ke sama enggau patriotik- Enti perintah kitai empu nyadi begian ari sida parti ba malaya, keni kitai deka ngarapka sida deka ngemaduka penusah ke nuntung kitai?

Bakani GPS deka nyaga “ Sekular Fairland Sarawak” ari bangsa enggau pengarap baka PAS, UMNO enggau perintah ari semenanjung sedangka sida GPS nya empu ke begulai bekutu enggau sida nya, parti ke merintah urang ngena kaum enggau pengarap?

Maioh kaum serta maioh pengarap ba Sarawak ia ke ulih dikena GPS beduan urang.

Utai tu suah ddidngan kitai ia ke sida ngumbai politik nyau dikumbai seni?

Utai ke nyadi tu nyau nimbul ke jaku tanya- nama kitai tu ngumbai GPS parti ia ke ulih nyaga nama-nama aja kini?

Parti-parti ke begabung ba GPS patut nimbang ke baru jaku sida enggau elbih serius agi- kada sida amat bisi ati deka ngenanka menua Sarawak awakka nyadi nenggeri sekular baka ke selama ia lalu utai nya meh ke nyadi lambang Sarawak tauka sida ya nyau nyadi proksi baka sida PAS, UMNO enggau bersatu?

Sepengudah 58 taun- kitai ngingatka baru danji sida ngagai kitai serta danji ngagai aki inik kitai suba sebedau Sarawak deka masuk ngaga Malaysia lalu negeri bukai baka Singapura, Borneo Utara enggau Tanah Melayu.

Bansa enggau pengarap patut ia ukai pekara ke mai penusah ngagai kitai, “Negeri-negeri Borneo” baka ke udah bisi ba danji MA63.

Kami pechaya danji ke udah disain patut dipebasaka.

Nama kitak udah bejalaika pengawa kitak laban kitai semua tu anak Sarawak ia ke tulin serta adil.

Ngarapka saritui-16 ari bulan sembilan- maya kitai merening serta bepikir panjai meda ulah ketuai Sarawak ke benung megai kitai diatu.

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

(Bahasa Melayu)

Persoalan yang mesti diajukan oleh semua rakyat Sarawak yang bersikap patriotik dan berpikiran yang sama - apabila Kerajaan Negeri kita sendiri adalah sebahagian daripada masalah keseluruhan, bagaimana kita mengharapkannya menjadi sebahagian daripada penyelesaian?

Bagaimanakah GPS dapat melindungi SEKULAR FAIRLAND SARAWAK terhadap bangsa dan agama PAS, Umno dan kerajaan Persekutuan ketika ia adalah sebahagian daripada Kerajaan yang dikuasai oleh Parti Berasaskan Kaum dan Agama?

Terdapat Gabungan pelbagai kaum dan pelbagai agama alternatif yang boleh dipilih oleh GPS untuk dipergunakan.

Apa yang berlaku dengan ucapan yang tidak asing iaitu - "politik adalah seni yang mungkin"?

Ini menimbulkan persoalan - adakah kita menghadapi GPS sebagai part yang 'mustahil'?

Parti-parti Komponen dalam GPS harus mempertimbangkan semula pendirian mereka dengan serius - adakah anda berniat mempertahankan negeri sekularisme dan berbilang kaum seperti yang dilambangkan oleh Negeri Sarawak yang anda wakili atau adakah anda hanya proksi untuk parti-parti bangsa dan agama PAS, UMNO dan Bersatu?

Selepas 58 tahun - ingat apa yang dijanjikan kepada kita dan nenek moyang kita SEBELUM ke Sarawak yang bersetuju untuk menyertai Singapura, Borneo Utara dan Tanah Melayu untuk 'membentuk Malaysia' - menurut MA63.

Bangsa dan agama seharusnya bukan masalah, untuk 'Negeri-negeri Borneo' seperti yang termaktub dalam MA63.

Kami percaya Perjanjian telah ditandatangani untuk dihormati.

Sudahkah anda menjalankan tugas sebagai 'son of Secular Fairland Sarawak'?

Semoga hari ini - 16 September - menjadi masa untuk renungan semua Pemimpin Sarawak kita.

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

(Bahasa Inggeris)

The question all patriotic and like-minded Sarawakians must ask  - when our own State government is part of the overall problem, how do we expect it to be part of the solution ?

How on earth can GPS protect and safeguard SECULAR FAIRLAND SARAWAK against the race and religious narratives of PAS, Umno and the Federal government when it is part of the government dominated by race and religious-based Parties?

There is an alternative multi-racial and multi-religious Coalition which GPS could have CHOSEN to ALIGN with .

What happened to the famous remark - "politics is the art of the possible" ?

This begs the question  - are we dealing with an 'impossible' GPS?

Component Parties within GPS should seriously reconsider their own stand - are you for secularism and multi-racialism as epitomised by the State of Sarawak which you represent or are you mere proxies for the race and religious parties of PAS, UMNO and Bersatu  ?

After 58 years - please remember what were promised to ours and your forefathers PRIOR to Sarawak agreeing to come on board with Singapore, North Borneo and Malaya to 'form Malaysia' - pursuant to MA63.

Race and religion should be non-issues, for 'the Borneo States' as enshrined in MA63.

We believe Agreements were,  and are signed to be honoured.

Have you done your duty as 'sons of Secular Fairland Sarawak'?

May this day - 16th September - be a time for reflection for all our Sarawak Leaders. 

Sarawak Rights, The Federal Constitution, MA63 And GPS

 Sarawak Rights, The Federal Constitution, MA63 And GPS

The August 13th 2021 edition of the Borneo Post features 4 news reports Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghani, Assistant Minister (Sharifah) in the Chief Minister’s department. The 4 news reports all relates to Sarawak rights which were lost in the 1976 amendment to the Federal Constitution and to the MA63.

You will find these 4 news reports on the front page and page 4 of the Borneo Post.

These are the captions to the news reports referred to:

1.State Seeks To Amend Article 1(2). In this news report Sharifah was quoted as saying, ‘We are proposing to amend the Federal Constitution by adding, The States of the Federation shall be…pursuant to the MA63.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/08/13/sarawak-seeks-insertion-of-msia-day-definition-into-federal-constitution/

2.MA63 Reports Not Secret But Can’t Be Revealed Yet As Talks Ongoing

https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/08/13/ma63-reports-not-secret-but-cant-be-revealed-yet-as-talks-ongoing-hasidah/

3.Need To Amend Constitution To Make Sarawak A Wilayah

https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/08/12/federal-constitution-amendment-needed-to-make-sarawak-a-wilayah-says-sharifah-hasidah/

4.Hasidah Urges S’wakians Not To Dwell On Past Breaches Of MA63

( this was not covered in the Borneo Post online news)

News report No.4 is the epitome of contradiction because it is the dwelling on past breaches of the MA63 that pushes the issue of the amendment to the federal constitution to the fore front and making it the hot button issue that it is today. I am suddenly reminded of what Simone Weil said about contradiction - ‘When a contradiction is impossible to solve except by a lie, then we know that there really is a door’

And the timing of her statements, I can only say OMG! (oh my gosh). The PN government, in which GPS and PAS are also partners together with UMNO and Bersatu, is disintegrating as we are reading her statements now. Where is Sharifah going to find support for the amendment GPS is seeking to make? Kinda reminds me of a song called New Kid In Town (Johnny Comes Lately) by the Eagles. I’ll put the link here, just in case you want to know what song I am talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pa5nqYXEnY&list=PLIdaTDmMA6T8AvEsl8X5s7Po7wcoVQajI

What was it that prompted or motivate Sharifah to urge Sarawakians not to dwell on the past breaches of MA63 knowing fully well that the breaches resulted in losses to Sarawak of such a magnitude that it is impossible to quantify today except by its consequences: how far is Sarawak left behind the Malayan states and the unbelievable number of its citizens that are living in hard core poverty.

There is nothing complicated about amending the Federal Constitution to restore Sarawak’s rights. All that is needed is to go back to the original wordings of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution before the 1976 amendments. The whole problem here is the betrayal of the aspirations of Sarawakians when GPS members of parliament abstained from voting in the proposed amendments to Federal Constitution in April 2019 simply because the amendments was proposed by the then PH federal government. Then GPS MPs were sitting among the opposition block in parliament.

At that point in time they did not object to the intentions and objectives of the amendment, they just abstained from voting. Because of their abstention, the bill or the proposed amendment failed.

And, as for her statement on the MA63 being not a secret ( News report No.2 above), did Sharifah and her colleagues in the GPS state government suddenly suffered a temporary lapse of memory? They seems to have forgotten that they are elected into the DUN by the rakyat for the sole purpose of representing the rakyat and bringing the voice of the rakyat to the DUN and to the government and they owe a duty of transparency to the rakyat who voted for them.

Finally, I would like to add this: By insisting on amending Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution using the formula she states in news report No.1 stated above they (GPS state government and its MPs) may be falling straight into the hands of Freemasons and Illuminatis.

PETROS, PETRONAS and PETRA – who’s really oiling the business for Sarawak ?

 PETROS, PETRONAS and PETRA – who’s really oiling the business for Sarawak ?

In June 2017, the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg, announced that Sarawak will establish a state-owned oil and gas exploration company which will work on ‘equal terms’ with Petronas, the national oil company.

Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) - a Malaysian oil and gas company 100% owned by the state of Sarawak owned by the Sarawak State Government was thus formed on 7th August 2017.

This attracted much attention and generated feverish excitement among Sarawakians that finally, the oil and gas would be ‘flowing home’ as anticipated, as part of the on-going negotiations with Putrajaya  over what belonged to Sarawak, including our Oil & Gas Resources under the Malaysian Agreement, popularly referred to as MA63.

That said, we are then made to understand that ‘Petros is not Petronas’ but will be working with it, AMONG OTHERS, as YAB Chief Minister Datuk Amar Patinggi Abang Johari mentioned that “all these initiatives by the State Government would ensure greater opportunities for Sarawakians and Sarawak companies to participate and invest in the oil and gas industry and to acquire expertise, knowledge and technology that would contribute to the continued growth and development of the oil and gas industry which will contribute to the economic success of the State and of Nation.”

Chairman of Petros, Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Hamid Bugo added that “we have revisited our purpose – that is to harness our resources for the sustainable progress of Sarawak and deliver on our growth strategy both in the upstream and for downstream Sarawak.” PETROS will be taking over the stewardship role of Sarawak onshore oil and gas activities.

‘State-owned Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) is expected to award petroleum contracts for the first two onshore blocks in northern Sarawak in first-quarter 2021 - Block SK 433 in the Miri area and Block SK 334 in the Engkabang area south of Marudi.

“We will encourage open bidding,” according to Petros Upstream executive vice-president James Foo, in his presentation on “Harnessing our resources, rejuvenating onshore” at a Sarawak oil & gas briefing for industry players last Friday.

He said Petros intends to package the prospecting licence and mining lease for both Block SK 433 and 334, adding that the petroleum contracts would be based on production/profit sharing between the investor and resource manager (Petros).

“Block SK 433 is the onshore extension of the prolific Baram Delta, which has been producing oil for decades.

Oil exploration and production activities have been concentrated offshore Sarawak where abundant resources have made it more lucrative for investors.

“Petros as onshore manager is to drive a focused programme to assess the remaining hydrocarbon potential for the entire Sarawak onshore aimed at early commercialisation of any discoveries and encourage prospecting and de-risking of frontier areas.

“Initial focus will be SK 433 and SK 334,” he added.’ [ TheStar, Tuesday, 03 Nov 2020 ]

Fast Forward – 2021  PETRA ENERGY, UZMA JV bags E&P contract from Petros for Block SK433 in Sarawak

‘A joint venture (JV) between Petra Energy Bhd and Uzma Bhd has secured a contract from Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) for the exploration, development and production of petroleum in Block SK433, onshore Sarawak.

According to both companies' filings this evening with the local bourse, the 29-year contract was secured by Petra Energy Development Sdn Bhd (PEDSB) and Uzma Engineering Sdn Bhd (UESB) JV — wholly-owned subsidiaries of Petra Energy and Uzma, respectively.

PEDSB will be the operator of the contract on behalf of the JV. Phase 1 of the job is for an initial period of four years, with a one-year extension option. Phase 2 involves development and production activities, which will start upon the successful outcome of Phase 1.

"The opportunity to explore, produce and develop the onshore block SK433 is a progression and an extension of its activities within the oil and gas industry. In addition, the Petra Energy group has the right capabilities and partner (UESB), bringing expertise and experience spanning sub-surface know-how, well services capabilities and production optimisation," it said.

The value of the contract, however, is not determinable, Petra Energy said, as it is based on the production of the asset, although both companies expect the contract to contribute positively to their future earnings.

[The EdgeMarkets June 18 2021]

‘BUSINESS POLITICS’ or POLITICS in BUSINESS – which is which ?

It is said that business and politics in Malaysia, including Sarawak, are inevitably related, if not ‘intertwined’. While it may be argued that both need each other for a ‘mutual and smooth co-existence’, this relationship is also a potential breeding ground for corrupt practices, notwithstanding the ‘checks and balances’, which are often overlooked, if not ignored for expediency.

Doubts were raised on whether ‘questionable deals’ had been concluded at the expense of prudency and good governance, as noted in the timber and plantation industries. If these were any guide, the oil and gas industry will be no exception, especially when it has all the signs of coming home to roost with the millions, if not billions to be made.

Hence eyebrows were raised among the oil and gas fraternity when Datuk Ibrahim Baki was appointed as a director of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) on 17th August, 2020.

‘For one, while Ibrahim is not a prominent mainstream politician, he is the deputy secretary-general and supreme council member of Sarawak-based Parti Pesaka Bumiputera.

Since when, have politicians been appointed to the national oil corporation’s board?

Datuk Ibrahim is also executive chairman and non-independent director of Hubline Bhd, with a shareholding of 11.09% in the shipping company.

Hubline was quoted in new reports as saying that ‘the company was eyeing long-term contracts with the Sarawak government and Petronas for the transport of methanol products from an RM8 billion plant that is set to come onstream in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu, in 2023’.

While there should not be any objection to Petronas appointing a director from Sarawak, maybe it should consider a candidate with no conflict of interest.

Even though Ibrahim may not be involved in the award of contracts to Hubline, or declare his interest upon joining the board, a director with a major stake in a company bidding for deals with Petronas may make some uneasy.

As the guardian of the country’s oil and gas assets, Petronas must hold itself to a higher standard of governance.’  [TheEdge Malaysia September 1st 2020]

A Voice in the Wilderness ?….

but still a voice worth listening to….

The appointment of corporate figure Ibrahim Baki, a member of the ruling Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s supreme council, as the state’s representative on the Petronas board of directors was also singled out by Parti Sarawak Bersatu member See Chee How who ‘said the state government should have allowed the state assembly to deliberate, debate and decide on the appointment of Sarawak’s representative on the Petronas board.’

See, who is assemblyman for Batu Lintang, reiterated that “the Sarawak government must clarify and explain whether it was consulted and if it had recommended the appointment of Ibrahim to the Petronas board.” [FMT 21st August 2020]

PETROS….PETRONAS…..PETRA – what’s next ? Big, Bigger, Biggest ?

Connecting the dots…..

FACT No. 1 – PETROS was formed on 7th August 2017 ‘to ensure greater opportunities for Sarawakians and Sarawak companies to participate and invest in the oil and gas industry’.  

Question : Who are the ‘Sarawakians’ who will really benefit from Petros 

FACT No. 2 -- Datuk Ibrahim Baki, deputy secretary-general and supreme council member of Sarawak-based Parti Pesaka Bumiputera  was appointed as a director of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) on 17th August, 2020.

Question : As YAB CM’s close associate and a PBB Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Chairman of Hubline Berhad, whose interests is Datuk Ibrahim Baki’s actually serving, in his capacity as a Director of Petronas ?

FACT No. 3 – With Tan Sri Bustari Yusuf’s Petra Energy Berhad inking a JV with Uzma Berhad to secure a contract from Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros), doesn’t this come across as a ‘business tinged with politics’ or a ‘politics mired in business’ deal ?  

Tan Sri Bustari is well-connected with Umno-BN and KL Leaders. He has the wealth and power to influence the Sarawak ‘political landscape’.

His brother Fadillah Yusuf, the current Minister of works, has been rumoured to be ‘positioned’ as the ‘future Chief Minister of Sarawak’ – if GPS still holds the reins.

Is this a case of – ‘You help me, I help you’ ?

FACT No. 4 – With Petros, Petronas and Petra coming together with a ‘oneness in purpose’ – what holds for the ‘rights and interests’ of ordinary Sarawakians ‘pursuant to MA63’ insofar as our Oil and Gas resources are concerned - if the ‘track record’ of the timber and plantation industries were to taken as a guide ?

We would expect ‘leakages and seepages’ to happen as soon as the oil starts flowing from the wells.

It’s an oily and slippery road ahead for Sarawak with many ‘hands in the gloves’.

As John Travolta would have said – ‘Grease is the word’.

On the dot.

PM’s announcement of a Special Council on MA63 to discuss issues related to Sabah, Sarawak’s rights

                                        

PM’s announcement of a Special Council on MA63 to discuss issues related to Sabah, Sarawak’s rig

Really  ?

If past records of ‘over-promising and under-delivering’ were any indication, this is likely to be ‘pre-election marketing’, at best.

As Sarawakians, we consider this rather insulting that not only  was the ‘SPIRIT’ of MA63 not upheld, but also trampled upon by ‘self-vested’ leaders using MA63 as an election bargaining chip.

MA63 is a CONTINUOUS process since 1963, regardless of who’s running the State or Putrajaya.

Lest we forget – MA63 is an OBLIGATION, a COMMITMENT, a DUTY, akin to a ‘marriage vow’ mutually agreed upon, prior to tying the knot.

The unfulfilled promises over 57 years smack of irresponsibility, if not dishonesty or deceit and insincerity.

As reported by the Consultative Committee on MA63, 17 out of 21 issues had been decided while the remaining 4 are still ‘on-going’.

All it needs is compliance and implementation. 

On that note, we are posing this question to the GPS State Government – why aren’t we implementing the 17 items in progression first, while awaiting the outcome of the remaining 4 which are still ‘works in progress’?

If not, why not ?

If that’s not stalling for time, what is it then ?

History had shown that Sarawak was rushed into joining the ‘formation’ of Malaysia in 1963, notwithstanding the challenges and circumstances then.

On the same note, why not apply the same urgency in compliance and implementation ?

Aren’t these important issues pertaining to MA63 ?

From the ‘excuses ‘ given, it does appear that the remaining 4 issues would ‘take time’ to be resolved, possibly ‘till the cows come home’.

While not wanting to sound sceptical, we cannot help but remind ourselves that GPS aka ex-BN had hardly been a good ‘role model’ in protecting and safeguarding Sarawak’s rights and interests, insofar as MA63 is concerned.

Who can forget PDA1974, the Constitutional Amendment of 1976 and the Territorial Sea Act 2012 which led to the erosion of Sarawak’s rights including the surrendering of our Oil & Gas Resources to Petronas, relegation of Sarawak’s status and the restriction on our territorial waters to just 3 nautical miles offshore, respectively ?

Moreover, the announcement by the PN Government, more so through a Minister from GPS, to keep the Special Cabinet Committee for MA63 report under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) created more doubts than clarity over the seriousness about restoring Sabah and Sarawak’s rights.

Or is it a case of ‘the promise given was a necessity of the past; the word broken is a necessity of the present’ ?

Doesn’t this remind us of the ‘leopard and its spots’ ?

Or the fox volunteering to guard the chicken coop ?

History is the best judge – those who choose to ignore the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them.

May we share a word of ‘friendly and patriotic advice’ with all sons and daughters of Fairland Sarawak – GPS can fool all of us some of the time and some of us all the time but we cannot allow them to fool all of us all the time.