By Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK)
KUCHING: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) notes that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim intends to table a motion in Parliament condemning the Israel–US attack on Iran.
PBK has consistently upheld the principle of peace and rejects war in all forms.
However, while the Prime Minister focuses on conflicts thousands of miles away, a far more serious political and constitutional crisis is unfolding within our own nation — in Sarawak and Sabah.
As head of government, the Prime Minister must understand that Malaysia is facing what can only be described as a political and constitutional war in our own backyard.
This dispute involves the Sarawak Government and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) on one side, and the Federal Government together with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) on the other.
At the heart of the dispute are the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) and the Continental Shelf Act (note: the Continental Shelf Act was enacted in 1966, not 2012).
These federal laws are being legally scrutinised in relation to Sarawak’s constitutional rights and ownership over oil and gas resources within its territorial waters and continental shelf.
The outcome of these legal challenges could determine who truly owns and controls the petroleum resources off the shores of Sarawak and Sabah.
This is not a minor administrative disagreement. This is a fundamental constitutional question affecting state rights, federal-state relations, and the economic future of Borneo territories under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (if valid) framework.
The Prime Minister should understand the people of Sarawak and Sabah are increasing heard that MA63 is not a valid Treaty and now with ownership of oil off shores of Borneo are in dispute, the Prime Minister should forget about wars in the Middle East, but, the political and constitutional war in own backyard. You are not able to save the Middle East and are not in any position to stop the war but you can with your power or authority stop the political and constitutional wars before the federal court over the dispute of oil and gas that was once the properties of Sarawak and Sabah.
Instead of tabling motions condemning foreign wars, the Prime Minister should table a motion to repeal the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which many in Sarawak and Sabah view as having eroded Borneo rights over natural resources.
Leadership begins at home. National unity must be strengthened internally before preaching justice abroad.
Grassroots sentiment in Sarawak and Sabah is growing increasingly restless. There are audible cracks beneath the surface — political volcanoes that could erupt if federal overreach continues.
The people are watching closely whether Putrajaya respects constitutional safeguards and state sovereignty within the Federation.
Since Sabah government is still not heard about its stand of the suit filed by GPS government before the federal court, PBK has contracted and encouraged concerned individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Sabah to apply to the courts to participate as amicus curiae (friends of the court) — the correct legal term — so that broader constitutional perspectives can be heard in proceedings affecting the rights of the people of Sarawak and Sabah.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must not allow external geopolitical posturing to distract from pressing domestic constitutional responsibilities.
A failure by the Prime Minister to solve these problems shall give or enhance the legitimacy to people of Sarawak and Sabah to seek freedom and independence from the federation of Malaysia.
Voon Lee Shan
President, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK)
