Labahua

Thursday, 26 December 2024

A letter from Anak Sarawak to PM

* A letter from Anak Sarawak to PM*

* (a letter from Sarawak's sons and daughters to the Prime Minister)

* respect for the Prime Minister, *

We know that Petronas is a "national company". However, although it is legally a Malaysian company, it is essentially a de facto Malaysian company. Its operation, investment, economic focus and decision-making process show that it mainly operates as a Malayan peninsula company. Think carefully about the point I'm going to make. I am willing to correct any inaccurate information, but I will not apologize for proposing to solve these unfair problems.

In case you forget, remember that Sarawak has 60% of Malaysia's natural gas reserves and 40% of Malaysia's oil reserves. Sarawak has made great contributions to Petronas and the country. Sarawak made Petronas, not Petronas made Sarawak. In view of this, an honest question must be raised. Is Petronas really a Malaysian company? We want a direct and honest answer. If you don't think so, please reform immediately and don't hesitate. Avoid the usual means of forming cabinet committees, parliamentary committees or special committees. We are tired of the endless meetings of committees and the absence of or disgusting resolutions. If Petronas is indeed a national company, then we urge our Sarawak leaders to take immediate steps to ensure fair treatment.

The vast majority of Petronas's main operations and decision-making centers are concentrated in Malaya. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the company is the symbolic and functional center of its activities. Facilities such as the iconic twin towers highlight its peninsula-centric operating base, while the significant contributions of Sarawak and Sabah have been marginalized.

Most of Malaysia's oil and gas resources come from Sarawak and Sabah. However, the economic benefits and infrastructure development brought about by these resources are unevenly distributed. Sarawak and Sabah are still decades behind the peninsula. Petronas's contribution to the national budget is mainly used for federal projects and infrastructure development in Malaya. Despite their rich resources, Sarawak and Sabah lag behind in development indicators such as health care, employment, poverty, education and infrastructure. This gap further reinforces the perception that Petronas mainly serves the economic agenda of the Malayan peninsula.

Royalties are another obvious unfairness. The royalty arrangement provides a meagre 5 per cent income for Sarawak and Sabah, while the rest is used to support federal plans, most of which are concentrated in Malaya. Let's further explore and analyze the 5% royalty. I suspect that 5% of royalties are manipulated and influenced by accounting skills and do not reflect market reality. Petronas also sells natural gas at subsidized prices to Malaysia's national energy and peninsula's independent power producers. Their task is to provide electricity only to the Malayan peninsula, not to the country as a whole. The question is whether the 5% royalty has been adjusted to reflect the market price. I doubt it.

The annual dividend of RM30 billion and billions of ringgit taxes and surcharges paid to the government are also used to repay the government's debt of RM1.5 trillion. However, how many of these 1.5 trillion ringgit went to Sarawak or Sabah? 1MDB is a typical case. We were surprised to learn that 1MDB was buying oil and gas assets. Isn't Petronas authorized to do this? There must be something sinister about it. Perhaps purchases made by companies other than Petronas are more likely to be misappropriated. In the process, 1MDB was deceived and tricked into buying assets that did not exist or were unknown. This is a kind of karma. The public, especially Sarawaks, want to know whether similar transactions have been carried out, are under way or are being planned. With the exception of 1MDB, most of the loans are used to finance projects in the Malayan peninsula, such as light rail, MRT, Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, East Coast Railway and Johor RTS. Sarawak people do not feel the existence or benefits of 1.5 trillion ringgit loans. All I know is that the loan will be used to finance the unfinished Pan-Borneo Highway.

The non-core luxury assets invested by Petronas are concentrated in Malaya Peninsula. Malaysian national oil company owns Sepang track, an orchestra, a university, Kuala Lumpur city real estate, Bucheng holding and so on. The choir is not good enough for Petronas. How many Sarawaks and Sabas are there in the orchestra? How many times has it been performed in Sarawak or Sabah? The National Petroleum University of Malaysia is located in Perak, which has no significant contribution to the oil and gas industry. Why should Petronas own a university? Isn't it more practical to set up a chair or sponsor a faculty at a local university? Previously, it even owned a loss-making hospital, Prince Court. These investments have raised questions about Petronas's business model.

Global giants such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Tesla and Microsoft all focus on research and innovation and buy strategic assets to maintain competitive advantage and sustainability. Unlike Petronas, they do not go on a buying spree of luxury unrelated assets.

The vast majority of senior leadership positions and key decision-making positions in Petronas and all its subsidiaries are held by individuals from the Malayan peninsula. Sarawak and Sabah are grossly underrepresented, highlighting the lack of governance sensitivity of a company that relies heavily on Sabah's resources.

In addition, the creation of the post of nominal adviser for the former Prime Minister further highlights the peninsula-centric approach. By extension, the vast majority of the senior leaders of all government oil companies, government investment companies, government investment companies and government agencies are individuals from the peninsula. Therefore, not only is Petronas a de facto peninsula entity, but also the whole country is a de facto peninsula government.

Once upon a time, Sarawak owned a refinery in Meri Luodong, the first refinery in Southeast Asia. However, its downstream operations have already moved to Malacca, Bodshin and Kodadinyi, and the establishment of the Bian Jialan petrochemical complex, resulting in the loss of billions of dollars in wealth, jobs and businesses in Sarawak. Arguments based on sustainability, market accessibility, or shipping routes are unimportant and cannot explain this blatant marginalization. If Brunei can maintain its downstream activities and Singapore, though not a producer, can develop into a major oil and gas hub, why not Sarawak?

Not long ago, a video circulated on the Internet in which Donggu Lashari admitted that UMNO had embezzled 1.4 billion ringgit from the Malaysian national oil company. I suspect that this has happened over time, so the misappropriation of the money may also have happened during your term of office before you became finance minister. When the video was made public, you and your opposition colleagues did not deny it. The scandal, coupled with suspicious asset purchases, has further raised concerns about whether Petronas will be subject to similar abuse in the future.

Sarawaks have long endured unfair treatment caused by Petronas and the federal government. Now is the time to act decisively.

We urge Prime Minister Sarawak to recall all leaders who love Sarawak and, in particular, to bring politicians back and use their expertise to put Sarawak on an extraordinary path of development. Let alternate officials serve the federal government until they are ready to serve Sarawak.

Before real reform, Petronas was seen as an offender of Sarawak.

Sincerely

* Sarawak sons and daughters *

Winter 2024

A letter from Anak Sarawak to PM

*A letter from Anak Sarawak to PM*

*(一封砂拉越儿女致首相的信)*

*尊敬首相先生，*

我们知道，Petronas 是一家“国家公司“。然而，虽然它在法律上是一家马来西亚公司，但本质上，它是一家事实上的马来亚半岛公司。它的运营、投资、经济重点和决策过程表明，它主要作为一家马来亚半岛公司运作。仔细考虑我将要提出的观点。我愿意纠正任何不准确的信息，但我不会为提出解决这些不公平问题而道歉。

为了避免您忘记，请记住，砂拉越分别拥有马来西亚 60% 的天然气储量和 40% 的石油储量。砂拉越为 Petronas 和国家做出了巨大贡献。砂拉越造就了 Petronas，而不是 Petronas 造就了砂拉越。鉴于此，必须提出一个诚实的问题。Petronas 真的是一家马来西亚公司吗？我们想要一个直接而诚实的答案。如果您认为不是，请立即进行改革，不要再犹豫。避免通常的组建内阁委员会、议会委员会或特别委员会的手段。我们厌倦了各种委员会无休止的会议，没有或令人作呕的决议。如果 Petronas 确实是一家国家公司，那么我们敦促我们的砂拉越领导人立即采取措施，确保公平对待。

Petronas 的主要运营和决策中心绝大多数集中在马来亚半岛。该公司的总部位于吉隆坡，是其活动的象征性和功能性中心。标志性的双子塔等设施凸显了其以半岛为中心的运营基地，而砂拉越和沙巴的重大贡献则被边缘化。

马来西亚的大部分石油和天然气资源都来自砂拉越和沙巴。然而，这些资源带来的经济利益和基础设施发展却分配不均。砂拉越和沙巴仍然落后于半岛几十年。Petronas 对国家预算的贡献主要用于马来亚半岛的联邦项目和基础设施发展。尽管资源丰富，砂拉越和沙巴在医疗保健、就业、贫困、教育和基础设施等发展指数方面却落后。这种差距进一步加深了人们的看法，即马来西亚国家石油公司主要服务于马来亚半岛的经济议程。

特许权使用费是另一个明显的不公平现象。特许权使用费安排为砂拉越和沙巴提供了微薄的 5% 收入，而其余部分则用于支持联邦计划，其中大部分集中在马来亚半岛。让我们进一步探究和分析 5% 的特许权使用费。我怀疑 5% 的特许权使用费是被操纵的，并受到会计技巧的影响，并不反映市场现实。马来西亚国家石油公司还以补贴价格向马来西亚国家能源和半岛的独立电力生产商出售天然气。他们的任务是提供电力，只提供给马来亚半岛，而不是整个国家。问题是 5% 的特许权使用费是否经过调整以反映市场价格。我怀疑很可能没有。

每年 300 亿令吉的股息以及支付给政府的数十亿令吉的税收和附加费用也用于偿还政府 1.50 万亿令吉的债务。然而，这 1.5 万亿令吉中有多少流向了砂拉越或沙巴？ 1MDB 是一个典型案例。我们很惊讶地得知 1MDB 正在购买石油和天然气资产。Petronas 不是被授权这样做吗？这里面一定有什么险恶的事情。也许除了 Petronas 之外的其他公司进行的购买更容易被挪用资金。在此过程中，1MDB 被骗并被诱骗购买不存在或不为人知的资产。这是一种因果报应。公众，特别是砂拉越人想知道类似的交易是否已经执行，或正在进行或正在计划中。除了 1MDB 之外，大多数借款都用于资助马来亚半岛的项目，例如轻轨、捷运、吉隆坡国际机场 2、东海岸铁路和柔佛 RTS 等。砂拉越人没有感受到 1.5 万亿令吉贷款的存在或好处。我所知道的是，这笔贷款将用于资助从未完工的泛婆罗洲高速公路。

马来西亚国家石油公司投资的非核心豪华资产集中在马来亚半岛。马来西亚国家石油公司拥有雪邦赛道、一个管弦乐队、一所大学、吉隆坡城中城地产、布城控股等。合唱团对马来西亚国家石油公司来说还不够好。管弦乐队中有多少砂拉越人和沙巴人？它在砂拉越或沙巴演出过多少次？马来西亚国家石油大学位于霹雳州，而霹雳州对石油和天然气行业没有重大贡献。马来西亚国家石油公司为什么要拥有一所大学？在当地一所大学设立一个教席或赞助一个教职员工不是更实际吗？此前，它甚至拥有一家亏损的医院 Prince Court。这些投资引发了人们对马来西亚国家石油公司商业模式的质疑。

谷歌、苹果、亚马逊、Meta、特斯拉和微软等全球巨头都非常注重研究和创新，并购买相关战略资产，以保持竞争优势和可持续性。与马来西亚国家石油公司不同，他们不会大肆收购豪华的非相关资产。

马来西亚国家石油公司及其所有子公司的高级领导职位和关键决策职位绝大多数由来自马来亚半岛的个人担任。砂拉越人和沙巴人的代表性严重不足，凸显了这家严重依赖砂拉越沙巴的资源的公司在治理方面缺乏敏感性。

此外，为前首相设立挂名顾问的职位，进一步凸显了以半岛为中心的做法。推而广之，所有政府石油公司、政府投资公司、政府投资公司和政府机构的高级领导层也绝大多数由来自半岛的个人担任。因此，不仅马来西亚国家石油公司是事实上的半岛实体，而且整个国家都是事实上的半岛政府。

曾几何时，砂拉越在美里罗东拥有一座炼油厂，这是东南亚第一座炼油厂。然而，其下游业务早已迁至马六甲、波德申和哥打丁宜，及边佳兰石化综合体的建立，使砂拉越损失了数十亿美元的财富、就业和企业。以可持续性、市场接近性，或航运路线为由的论点都是不重要的，无法解释这种公然的边缘化。如果汶莱可以维持其下游活动，新加坡尽管不是生产国，但仍可以发展成为主要的石油和天然气枢纽，那么为什么砂拉越不能呢？

不久前，网上流传着一段视频，视频中，东姑拉沙里承认巫统从马来西亚国家石油公司挪用了 14 亿令吉。我怀疑这是随着时间的推移而发生的，因此挪用这笔钱可能也发生在你担任财政部长之前的任期内。当这段视频公开时，你和你的反对党同事并没有否认此事。这一丑闻加上可疑的资产购买，进一步引发了人们对马来西亚国家石油公司未来是否会受到类似滥用的担忧。

砂拉越人长期以来一直忍受着马来西亚国家石油公司和联邦政府造成的不公平待遇。现在是采取果断行动的时候了。

我们敦促砂拉越总理召回所有爱砂拉越的领袖，特别是让政治家回来，利用他们的专业知识，让砂拉越走上非凡的发展轨道。让替补官员为联邦政府服务，直到他们准备好为砂拉越服务。

在真正的改革发生之前，马来西亚国家石油公司被视为砂拉越的冒犯者。

真挚地，

*砂拉越儿女*

2024.

Friday, 20 December 2024

TDM by James Chin

*James Chin*

I do not mean to disagree with TDM, but I would ask rational people to consider the following facts:

1) TDM was Prime Minister for 23 years. If the Malays are weak now, isn't it because he didn't establish the groundwork and foundation for them? Why is he blaming the enemy of the Malays (while he did not state so, history suggests he meant the Chinese)?

2) Malays completely dominate all of the state's important institutions, including the royals, police, armed forces, civil service, and parliament. Since Merdeka, no non-Malay/non-Muslim Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister has been appointed. Since Merdeka, the Malays have held an absolute cabinet majority. So, if Malays are losing power, isn't it because the Malays appointed to all these institutions didn't perform their part in upholding ketuanan melayu?

The Chinese were never near power so how are they a threat? In fact MCA is now unable to win Chinese support because they were seen as the 'running dog' of UMNO and unable to promote Chinese interest during your BN/UMNO time. If the most important Chinese party, MCA, cannot promote Chinese interest, then what are you talking about?

3) GLC controls the Malaysian economy and stock exchange. The only area where the Chinese remain dominant is in SMEs; the rest are dominated by GLCs which is a proxy for Malay interests. The NEP and its successors aimed at economic redistribution have created an uneven playing field where Malay businesses are given preferential treatment in terms of government contracts, licenses, and financial assistance. While Chinese businesses have been successful, its despite the institutional barriers. How many Chinese companies are forced to appoint Malay directors? Any Malay companies forced to employ Chinese directors?

4) Malays have privileged access to higher education, their own university, and a variety of other advantages like housing discount. Is this under threat?

5) Ketuanan Melayu is being replaced with Ketuanan Melayu Islam (KMI). There is now a religious layer on top of the ethnic barrier.

6) Chinese population is declining. This is open knowledge. It will reach around 20% soon. It was about 40% at 1957. In other words, the population will be halved in less than a century.

Conclusion:

The Chinese in Malaysia are not inherently a threat to Malay political power but are seen as such within a political framework where ethnicity and race are central to power dynamics. The perception of threat often arises from the fear of diluting Malay political and cultural dominance rather than from an actual capability to overthrow or significantly alter the established political order. The real challenge lies in navigating towards a political system where all ethnic groups feel represented and empowered without stoking racial tensions or diminishing the cultural identity of any group, including the Malays. This involves rethinking the political narrative around ethnicity and embracing a more inclusive form of governance.

Please viral this post if you agree. Thanks.

*James Chin*

I do not mean to disagree with TDM, but I would ask rational people to consider the following facts:

4) Malays have privileged access to higher education, their own university, and a variety of other advantages like housing discount. Is this under threat?

5) Ketuanan Melayu is being replaced with Ketuanan Melayu Islam (KMI). There is now a religious layer on top of the ethnic barrier.

6) Chinese population is declining. This is open knowledge. It will reach around 20% soon. It was about 40% at 1957. In other words, the population will be halved in less than a century.

Conclusion:

Please viral this post if you agree. Thanks.

Fuck the old fox and his followers/supports for the sack of your country.

Monday, 9 December 2024

It happened under CM Abdul Rahman Yakub's watch

IT HAPPENED UNDER CM ABDUL RAHMAN YA’KUB’S WATCH & HE DID NOTHING TO STOP THE BURNING

Written by a Dayak person.

Political decisions, unlike other decisions, almost all, are circumstantial. But that is enough to provide clues.

Perhaps I just write something now since I am already awake and can't sleep again.

Abdul Rahman bin Ya’kub, in his lifetime, never denied the allegations that he ordered the destruction of those books. Being the CM from 1970 to 1981, who decided the closure of the Borneo Literature Bureau (BLB) in the 70's, if not the CM, and replaced the same with just a local Branch of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DPP)?

DBP is a Malaya based Government Agency that is tasked with the promotion and development of Bahasa Melayu and not other languages? DBP has no responsibility in promoting or developing other languages except Bahasa Melayu and this is in contrast with the responsibility of the BLB that had been actively developing local literature including Iban literature and language at the material time.

One morning sometime in 2002 I was sitting with the late Anthony Belon at The late Anthony Belon remembered this was an unforgettable event while was sitting down with friends at the same Joo Seng Cafe when they saw the burning of all the books published in the Iban and English languages. Joo Seng Cafe located at the junction of Batu Lintang/Green Road and Abang Haji Openg/Rock Road, which is just opposite the former BLB Building (turned into the State Printing Department and later till now changed into Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad/PNMB).

Those written in Malays were preserved. The late Anthony Belon and several of his friends rushed to the scene and tried saving the remaining to be burned Iban books but were stopped by a team of policemen who stood guarded at the scene at the material time. In shock, the late Anthony Belon asked why they were disallowed to save and keep those Iban books. The policemen told them it was the order from the highest authority of the State. So they saved none. This has been boggling the minds of Dayak adults ever since.

Five pertinent questions arising from the above events. The burning is a fact, so no issue on that point

(1) Whose decision to close the BLB and replace the same with a local Branch of DBP? The State Authority could allow the Malayan based DBP to open a Branch in Sarawak, but why dissolved BLB and replaced the same with DBP?

(2) Who was the highest authority of the State at the material time? Can a Government Agency (BLB) be closed down or dissolved without the decision of the State Cabinet? Who chaired the Cabinet meeting if not the CM? Alternatively, if it was made without the approval of the cabinet, then whose single decision that was so powerful and authoritative that must be acted upon?

(3) Why dissolved BLB and replaced the same with DBP that has a singular mission, vision and role, namely developing and promoting Bahasa Melayu?

(4) Why was a team of policemen ordered to stand guarded at the scene if it was just a simple destruction of those collections?

(5) Why was no one or any passer by members of the public allowed to save even a copy of those literary collections and policemen were given strict instructions to prevent any attempt to save those collections? Copy and paste

Sunday, 8 December 2024

My comments on Visionary leadership needed to resolve Sarawak-Petronas oil dispute

Petronas, a company from Malaya amounts to nothing without the constant feed of O&G from Sarawak, Tengku Razaleigh. How can Petronas be analogised it to be a goose laying golden eggs? Did you know how colonial, pirate-minded and sinful you were by hook and by crook trapping and tricking Sarawak and Sabah into this contract of oil royalty àà 95% for Petronas and 5% for Sarawak.

Where on earth is there any such exploitative and abusive contract you can find in the whole-wide world? It was, no doubt, signed after May 13^th, 1969 a well-devised evil plan by the notorious UMNO devils who to me and many many others always turned NO into YES; YES into NO by all means.

And the aircrash on 6/6/1976 carrying quite a number of Sabah Assembly Members (including then Chief Minister) demanded for 20% oil royalty. It was, no doubt, to many and many Sarawakians and Sabahans to be well-devised evil plan of the murder for being disobedient to Tengku’s so-said ‘noble’ deed and demands of the devils to be complied to.

Colonial- and pirate-minded Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is still wild with the belief that by wooing and coaxing can lure and induce Sarawak Premier Abang Johari and his team into submission and complying to let the Neo-colonial master continue plundering and exploitating oil and gas (O&G) resources in and around Sarawak at will. No, no more.

Yes, the Sarawak government is adamant and firm to the demand based on MA63 with the right to make Petros the sole gas aggregator in Sarawak.

Who is obsessive and greedy for the O&G, the golden goose in Sarawak? Sarawak has the absolute right and sovereignty to her resources and how to plan for it.

Yes, it is the ‘constitutional right’ of Sarawak and Sarawak should be prepared ‘to battle any party that “disrespects” its “rights” in a court of law.’ domestically and internationally. Let the International Court of Justice preside the validity of MA63 as well.

Stop barking! Stop wooing! Stop coaxing! Stop being indulgent in your wild beliefs that Sarawak will bulge an inch in claiming the ‘constitutional right’ of Sarawak based on MA63.

Malaysia (Malaya in disguise) has never practised federalism based on trust and good laws. Never! Reviewing the history of Malaysia@ Malaya, we have witnessed all the breaches of MA63 for about 600 times and being so domineering and abusive.

Be clear how often Sarawak Premier Abang Johari has asserted and insisted FOUR non-negotiable items, namely, (a) immigration autonomous power, (b) rights to enforce State law in accordance with the Federal Constitution, (c) State border protection (d) sovereignty over the sea, underground and its resources within the State. (Dayakdaily)

My advice to all those cunning, greedy, abusive, colonial-and pirate-minded wild political thugs is not to harbour the belief that there is a chance for Malaya in the name of Malaysia to go inroad in these FOUR non-negotiable items.

Assess what “win-win” situation Sarawak has enjoyed so far. Sarawak has always been a loser in the federation of Malaysia @Malaya. Don’t be stupid and being dazzled by the post of DPM to lose sight of the ‘constitutional right’ of Sarawak over our O&G.

Always remember the humiliation and insult of being forced to sign PDA74. How their predator-like predecessors UMNO-BN had launched the mechanism of plundering, exploitation, oppression, suppression, robbing, bullying, Malayanisation and colonization. PH headed by Anwar Ibrahim just continues more or less the same practices as UMNO-BN.

For the federal development budgets for three consecutive years -- 2023, 2024 and 2025, above 85% of the said funds are for Malaya. And they will continue as a winner at the expense of Sarawak and Sabah. Actually, Malaya in name of Malaysia is many times worse than the British Colonial power.

Sarawak has been at the losing end for the past 50 years (1974-2024). Petronas has never disclosed the accounts of the total amount of revenues collected from O&G from Sarawak in the share 95% to 5%. Isn’t it ridiculously stupid to talk about “win-win” as a loser?

Let Sarawak be the sole aggregator all for the advantages to the nation of Sarawak and for the good the federation of Malaysia (Malaya in disguise) learning to respect MA63 and laws.

Is the colonial- and pirate-minded Tengku Razaleigh aware that there has never been a win-win federal-State partnership as far as Sarawak and Sabah as nations in the federation of Malaysia (Malaya in disguise) are concerned. There is no such things called integrity and a fair commitment to the fair distribution of wealth among the three nations in the federation.

As a Sarawakian, I bear witness the process of colonization and Malayanisation at the expense of the rich ethnic cultures of Sarawak and Sabah.

Despite having abundant natural resources, Sarawak ranks No. 3 in terms of poverty in 13 states; Sabah No. 2. This is the facts and truths that we Sarawakians and Sabahans are facing.

Stop bluffing, stop creating make-believes, Tengku Razaleigh! Don’t boast about PDA74 which was passed illegally during the time of emergency against the constitutional right of S&S/Sarawak and Sabah. It is a well-plotted plan indeed to plunder the rich O&G resources of S&S. Shame of you! It is all to the advantage of Malaya at the expense of S&S.

Yes, since then, every state in Malaya has benefited from the availability of public goods such as healthcare, education, and national defence. But it is not so in Sarawak and Sabah.

With the O&G resources and taxes from S&S at our disposal, S&S, no doubt at all, can manage all these public goods healthcare, education, and national defence many times better.

It is illegal to implement PDA74, in S&S. But Malaya in the name of Malaysia has committed the crimes of transgression and trepassing for 50 over years in the territory of Sarawak and Sabah, which are not territories of Malaya. It is a wide separation of Malaya and S&S by South China Sea by thousands of miles.

No doubt, Sarawak is heading in the right direction for great development by passing the Distribution of Gas Ordinance/DGO in 2016 headed by ex-Chief Minister Adenan Satem and incorporating Petros in 2017.

The Order in Council 1954, entitled Sarawak to extend the Sarawak boundaries to include the continental shelf off its shores and

the Oil and Mining Ordinance 1958/OMO grants it “rights over all O&G resources within those boundaries’.

No, Sarawak can no longer tolerate the aggression, domination and colonization of Malaya in the name of Malaysia. Enough is enough!

Yes, it is just natural and normal for Sarawak to need more revenues for the proper development and want 30% of gas at least to be made available for domestic use, in line with the Sarawak Gas Roadmap 2030, up from 5% presently.

Has Sarawak had a fair share of its O&G resources when Malaya takes 95% : Sarawak 5%? Besides, Malaya@Malaysia collects so many kinds of taxes from Sarawak and gives back so little.

For three consecutive years, the federal budget for Sarawak is 5.65% in 2023; 6.4% in 2024 and 6.8% in 2025. Sabah is in no way better. Above 85% the federal development funds are for Malaya. It was even worse during BN-UMNO era.

To avoid further dispute and breakup, the federal government should learn to respect the laws of Sarawak, MA63 and advise Petronas to look elsewhere for new opportunities and not to be so obsessive with the O&G of Sarawak. Which one is the golden goose?

Don’t repeat the same bad practices of those colonial- and pirate-minded old political thugs who dared to break all laws to reach their selfish aims. They were not visionary leaders but the devils who launched the mechanism of Malaynisation and colonization on S&S.

If ‘any divestment by Petronas of its role as the sole gas aggregator in Sarawak will have a significant impact on the company’s finances’, it is indeed the problems of Petronas, a pick winner relying too much on the free lunch and easy income from Sarawak.

Since Sarawak has always been a loser with 5% share of royalty in the O&G and in the federation of Malaysia as a whole, it really makes no difference if Petronas survives or dies and how the federal finances are affected.

But there is one thing for sure, we can negotiate for a better deal for at least 30% - 40% of share of revenue from O&G resources with other oil companies all over the world.

Petronas is encouraged to pack and leave Sarawak for good. See how soon Petronas will be replaced. Don’t worry about Petros as Sarawak has so much O&G resources to sustain it to grow from small to a large one. See how Petronas feeds on O&G of S&S to grow big and strong.

It is irrational of Muhyiddin to say that Abang Johari can make limited demands on O&G resources. Abang Johari is too meek not to go to court straight away when Petronas, a scoundrel-like company from Malaya failed to comply to the demand to return what legitimately belongs to Sarawak.

This is half-true that “Petronas needs Sarawak, and Sarawak needs Petronas.” Muhyiddin! What is true is “Petronas needs Sarawak, BUT Sarawak does not need Petronas at all.”

Bear in mind that whatever the amount of investment Petronas has made in Sarawak, doesn’t it derive from the O&G revenues from Sarawak?

Don’t ask for a fair and equitable share for the things not belonging to you at all!

Saturday, 30 November 2024

Robert Pei: If FG refuses to honour MS63

If the federal government remains unwilling to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963(MA63), Sarawak must assert its right to self-determination and reclaim control over its territory and resources, including the option to exit the federation.

*THE CONCERN THAT SARAWAK’S CONTROL OVER ITS OIL AND GAS RESOURCES COULD FALL INTO CORRUPT HANDS is a valid consideration*. However, there are several reasons why Sarawak’s control might still be seen as preferable to the current federal control, even with the risk of local corruption:

1. *Greater Accountability to Local Populations*

• *No National or Local Oversight over PDA74*: Currently under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74), Petronas is a deep state secret organisation not accountable to anyone except the Prime Minister of Malaysia. This has led to vast corruption as contracts are farmed to six preferred government-linked corporations and corrupt enrichment of the Malayan elites. PDA74 has also enabled the institutionalisation of the New Economic Policy leading to the creation of a race-religion apartheid state which discriminates against and oppresses minorities especially the people of Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah). Malaya’s plunder of oil and gas used to develop Malaya has left the 2 former British colonies far behind in development as the poorest vassal states of Malaya.

• *Sarawak Control:* Sarawak control of its petroleum resources means they are directly governed by a state-level administration, and its people are more likely to have access to local mechanisms for accountability, such as state assembly scrutiny, civil society activism, and media freedom. Federal control often distanced decision-making from the people of Sarawak, and local governments may be more responsive to the region's needs and grievances.

• *Empowerment through Autonomy*: With greater control over its resources, Sarawak has the potential to craft policies that are specifically tailored to its unique economic and social context. This could lead to more equitable development compared to a centralised, one-size-fits-all approach imposed by the federal government.

2. *Restoration of Sovereignty and Self-Determination*

• *Historical Justice*: The core argument for Sarawak's control over its resources is rooted in the historical promise made in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63 if valid) to maintain the state’s autonomy over its land and natural resources. If Sarawak continues to be governed under federal control in this matter, it represents an ongoing violation of those agreements and a failure to address the colonial legacy.

• *Decolonization:* The call for Sarawak to control its resources is also part of a broader desire to decolonize the state's relationship with the federal government. While corruption is a risk, achieving local control would allow Sarawak to build its governance capacity, potentially strengthening accountability over time.

3. *Potential for Reform and Systemic Change*

• *Local Reform Opportunities* : While corruption is a concern, Sarawak would have the opportunity to implement reforms that address local governance issues more effectively than under the federal government. Over time, the state could introduce more robust transparency measures, anti-corruption laws, and independent auditing processes. These reforms could be more directly shaped by the will of the people and their local needs.

• *Leveraging External Pressure:* The international community increasingly supports resource sovereignty and governance reforms, particularly when it comes to indigenous or regional control over natural wealth. Sarawak could leverage international support to strengthen its internal governance systems and create mechanisms that reduce corruption.

4. *Economic Disparities and Fairer Revenue Distribution*

• *Unequal Revenue Sharing:* Sarawak has long complained about the disproportionate share of oil and gas revenue it receives from the federal government. Under federal control, much of the wealth generated from Sarawak’s resources is siphoned off to the central government, leaving the state with insufficient funding for development and social welfare. With control over its resources, Sarawak could retain a larger portion of the revenue, allowing for reinvestment in local infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social programs—essentially, a more direct benefit to its citizens.

• *Local Economic Control:* Sarawak could make more informed decisions about how its resources are managed, potentially ensuring that the benefits flow more directly to local communities. This would also reduce the incentive for federal corruption to drain Sarawak's wealth for national purposes that don't necessarily benefit its people.

5. *The Risk of Federal Corruption is Also Present*

• *Corruption at the Federal Level:* Sarawak is not the only region in Malaysia where corruption is a concern. The federal government has faced its own corruption scandals, especially regarding the management of resources, allocation of funds, and political patronage. In fact, the concentration of power at the federal level can often lead to larger-scale corruption that is harder to address at the local level.

• *Sarawak as a Check on National Corruption:* With Sarawak exercising control over its own resources, it could act as a check on federal overreach and corruption. It could negotiate more favourable terms for itself, preventing the central government from exploiting its resources without fair compensation or oversight.

6. *A Pragmatic Path to Addressing Corruption*

• *Governance Improvements Over Time:* While corruption is a risk, it is also true that governance structures can evolve. Sarawak, like many regions, has the potential to strengthen its democratic institutions and governance mechanisms if given more power and autonomy. Over time, Sarawak could potentially build better accountability structures, such as independent oversight bodies, transparent budgeting, and local civic engagement, all of which could help reduce corruption in the long run.

• *Collaboration with Civil Society:* The active role of local NGOs, media, and civil society organisations can also play a role in ensuring that any control over resources remains transparent and accountable. These organisations could hold the state government to account, similar to how they monitor federal practices.

*Conclusion*

*While the risk of corruption exists under both federal and state control, the fundamental issue at stake is Sarawak's sovereignty and its historical right to control its resources.* The potential for corruption at the state level doesn't invalidate Sarawak's right to self-determination but rather highlights the need for stronger governance and accountability mechanisms, which are more likely to be developed and implemented at the local level with Sarawak in control of its own resources. Ultimately, local control would empower Sarawak to address corruption within its own systems, while also ensuring that the benefits of its resources remain more equitably distributed to its people.

*If the federal government remains unwilling to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawak must assert its right to self-determination and reclaim control over its territory and resources, including the option to exit the federation.*

Robert Pei,

SSRANZ 29/11/2024

Tuesday, 26 November 2024

My comments on: Sarawak and Malaysia can’t afford escalating O&G disputes Alina Khai -26 /11/24

My comments on:

Sarawak and Malaysia can’t afford escalating O&G disputes

Alina Khai -26 Nov 2024, 09:00 AM

Sarawak as far as I know has been a loser in the whole game concerning its O&G resources. Up to 2014, Malaya in the name of Malaysia has got at least RM ONE trillion just from the sales of O&G from Sarawak, which is a big, big loser.

For 50 years, Sarawak has always been a loser, what can be worse for “ Sarawak becoming as the sole aggregator of natural gas”, which is legitimately owned by Sarawak?

Petronas won’t be a loser whether it pulls out or gives up as the gas aggregator in Sarawak as it is not a legitimate owner of the Sarawak natural resources.

To Sarawakians, we only see the great benefits and profits with the full control over the distribution and sales of natural gas within our boundaries.

Return what belongs to Sarawak or be prepared to face tribunal in court to settle the dispute once and for all. If not done properly, it should be handed to International Court of Justice.

Saying that Petronas has spent billions in “investment in its oil and gas (O&G) infrastructure currently underwritten by national oil corporation Petronas, is likely to dry up”, that is your business. If you can’t cope, just leave it to other business entrepreneurs. Sarawak with rich O&G resources won’t be short of investors from countries all over the world.

Whether Petros Sarawak is able to get a fair bargain in its dealings with the big industrial players as Petronas or not , you don’t have to worry as Sarawak has emerged as a O&G global player.

Isn’t it true that Sarawak has been short-changed in the distribution of the nation’s oil wealth despite producing the largest portion of the commodity?

About 85% of the annual federal budgets are for Malaya and hence there is a great disparity in the infrastructure development between Malaya and SarawakSabah. Who can deny these facts and truths?

Malaya-centred and -minded industrial players and experts, no doubt, feel threatened to see Petros as Sarawak the sole gas aggregator.

For sure, Sarawak is well-prepared for the tasks what Petronas is doing now. Just hand over the right legitimately belonging to Sarawak, why not?

What a pity that Petronas have not been able to disclose officially how much it has earned and how much it has spent in developing Sarawak’s O&G infrastructure and the sector as a whole over the decades. What a shame!

Just wait and see if Petros can replace Petronas as the long-term investor in Sarawak’s O&G.

Regarding capital expenditure Petronas invested, why must it be borne by Petros when Sarawak only gets 5% of royalty?

Petronas earns “specifically its RM20 billion annual profit just off the gas production in Sarawak.” , which is legitimately belonging to Sarawak.

If the said amount is at the disposal of Petros, who says that Petros has not the capacity to spend the same amount or more in Sarawak’s O&G sector?

It is ridiculous and shame of you to cry over the loss over the resources that do not belong to Petronas at all.

Constitutionality, it is illegal to apply PDA1974 of O&G in Sarawak and thus for the past 50 years, Petronas has committed crimes of illegality in this business in Sarawak. This will be settled some day!

How can Petronas owns oil “on behalf of Malaysians” (/Malayans, not Malaysians as Sarawakians and Sabahans benefit so little from this.) as a company to own the resources of Sarawak acting against the constitutional and legitimate rights of Sarawak?

It is a colonial- and pirate-mindset of Tengku Razaleigh to think so. After all, Sarawak is not a territory of Malaya. It is very aggressive and arrogant of Tengku Razaleigh to say that Petros Sarawak can never match with Petronas meritically when you reject blatantly the right of Petros Sarawak the chance to prove itself.

Petronas accounts to nothing without the total feed of O&G freely from Sarawak and Sabah since the very beginning of its inception. It is all a neo-colonialist in practice to take 9 out of 10. It is exactly plundering and exploitation of Malaya here in Sarawak and Sabah.

What is wrong with Sarawak to demand the share of the natural gas allocation to 30% from the current 5% to meet domestic needs to drive sustainable development in our land?

What gains Sarawak has as against an astronomical loss being part of the Federation of Malaysia@Malaya when 95% share of O&G resources has been taken away from Sarawak?

The whole-wide world only sees the progress and prosperity of Malaya at the expense of the poverty of Sarawak and Sabah. Of course, Sarawak O&G resources also make many corrupt high ranking officers really wealthy.

He dares to bluff that “ the federal government pays for a number of services such as defence, which Sarawak has consistently demanded to protect its O&G resources amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.”

How much in terms of revenues besides O&G has the federal government/FG collected from Sarawak? And whose responsibility is it for the the services like defence rendering to Sarawak?

FG is strongly advised and encouraged to return the autonomy all these services to release themselves. Let Sarawak collect all the taxes and pay the FG the amount it deserves. For sure, Sarawak can stand on its own without much hassle.

Shamelessy, he dares to point out the meagre raise of development financing for Sarawak as against 85% for Malaya

As he bluffs “under the 12th Malaysia Plan, a total of RM4.8 billion has already been allocated for Sarawak for year 2025. The state will receive yet another RM5.9 billion under next year’s budget” as compared with the amount allocated to Malaya, it is practically nothing for the proper development of Sarawak with that little.

It is a grave mistake of our past leaders to join Malaysia which is actually Malaya in disguise.

Many Sarawakians and Sabahans now question the validity of MA63 thinking that it should be settled in the International Court of Justice once and for all.