Table motion to repeal PDA74, instead of focusing on conflicts thousands of miles away, PBK president tells PMX

KUCHING, March 3 2026:  Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is urged to table a motion in Parliament to repeal the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which many in Sarawak and Sabah view as having eroded Borneo rights over natural resources.

PBK president Voon Lee Shan: As head of government, Anwar must understand that Malaysia is facing what can only be described as a political and constitutional war in our own backyard. 

“Leadership begins at home. National unity must be strengthened internally before preaching justice abroad,” Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan reminded  in a statement today.

He said he understands that the prime minister plans to table a motion in Parliament to condemn the Israeli-US attack on Iran.

He urged the prime minister not to allow external geopolitical posturing to distract from pressing domestic constitutional responsibilities.

“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, he 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 PDA74, and Continental Shelf Act 1966 (CSA66),”Voon said,adding that these two 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.

He said the outcome of the legal challenge by the Sarawak government 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 (MA63) 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.

“He 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,” Voon said.

Voon also noted that Sabah government is still not heard about its stand of the suit filed by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government before the federal court.

As such, he added 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.

Have your children learn many languages, Julau MP Larry Sng tells Iban parents

PAKAN, March 2 2026: Julau Member of Parliament Larry Sng has encouraged Iban parents, if possible, to have their children learn more than two or more languages, besides their mother tongue such as Iban.

Caption: Julau MP Larry Sng speaking at Rumah Mary Rose longhouse in Pakan - Photo from Larry Sng Facebook 

“If you look at our people, some go to government schools and learn Malay, and some also study in Chinese schools to learn Chinese,” he said at a function at Rumah Mary Rose longhouse, Sungai Rusa, yesterday.

He said learning English is an advantage for the children in the future.

“Let us look now, the government especially in Sarawak emphasises dual language programmes or programmes to learn many different languages, including learning English.

“If students know a variety of languages, it will be easier for them to find a job and this can be a source of inspiration for them,” Larry, who is also Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president, said in his Facebook post.

He added the advantage of knowing multiple languages can also give them the opportunity to communicate to their bosses at work.

“So learning multiple languages is not a disadvantage, especially now that new technology from America and China is very sophisticated compared to the past.

“Because things are so sophisticated, like phones, iPads, applications and other technology, every year things change.

He said every year there is only smart technology that shows the development of technology that is increasingly developing.

He said students must now know what is happening.

“If they don't understand all this, then they will be left behind other people because it is very important to learn many languages because technology is spreading fast,” Larry said.

At the function, he allocated funds to the Village Development and Security Committees of Rumah Mary Rose, Rumah Munan, Rumah Geruda, Rumah Luing /Rumah Linsa Wati, Rumah Jengayang, Rumah Admand Ribong and Rumah Patrick Jingan.

 

New water treatment plant in Ulu Sebuyau to ensure a more water supply in Sebuyau and Samarahan Division, says Julaihi

SEBUYAU, March 2 2026: The new water treatment plant in Ulu Sebangan is expected to be completed in July next year to ensure a more stable water supply for the residents of Sebuyau and  Samarahan Division.

Caption: Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Julaihi Narawi presenting assistance in the form of cash and food packet to a villager- Photo by Ukas 

Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Julaihi Narawi said the five million litre per day (MLD) project will serve as a backup source for the Batu Kitang water treatment plant, Kuching, which currently acts as the main supplier in the area.

“The construction work of the Ulu Sebangan plant started last November and is expected to be completed in July 2027.

“When completed, we will have an alternative source other than in Kuching,” he said, quoted by Saawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).

He said this while speaking at the ‘Ziarah Ramadan’ and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme organised by the Ministry for Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) together with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) at the Darul Aman Sebangan Mosque, here, today.

The Sebuyau Assemblyman also shared that the proposal to build a larger-scale water treatment plant with a capacity of 40 MLD in Sebuyau is being refined as a long-term solution to address the constraints of raw water resources in Samarahan.

During the ceremony, MUT and SDEC welcomed 60 asnaf from Kampung Menek, Kampung Lutong and Kampung Arus Melayu who received assistance in the form of cash and food baskets.

In addition, 30 children also received contributions in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

MUT's annual programme in collaboration with agencies under or related to the ministry not only celebrates Ramadan, but also strengthens relationships between leaders and the local community.

Also present during the programme were Samarahan Division Resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang, MUT Gas Distribution Supply Director Kasvenda Kassim, Sebuyau District Officer Ayuradiman Bujang, SDEC Corporate Communications & Public Relations Head Agnes Nyelang, Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) Special Administrative Officer Anuar Daan and Chairman of the Darul Aman Mosque Management Committee Sebangan Yaman Madian.

Awang Tengah chairs meeting with Sarawak govt officials ahead of the MA63 technical committee meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 2026: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan yesterday chaired a meeting with Sarawak  officials ahead of  the Technical Committee meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) No. 1 of 2026 here.

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan chairing the pre-council meeting of MA63 technical committee meeting

Accordibn to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the meeting served as an initial coordination and consolidation step ahead of the MTPMA63 meeting scheduled to take place at Parliament today, which will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof.

Among those in attendance were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts  Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations)  Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Sarawak Attorney-General Saferi Ali and Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development)  Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.

The meeting serves as a vital platform to ensure that every technical and legal issue regarding the implementation of MA63 is thoroughly scrutinised, thereby strengthening Sarawak's unified stance in fighting for the state's rights and interests at the Federal level.

This early coordination step reflects the Sarawak government's ongoing commitment to ensuring that every negotiation and decision discussed at the MTPMA63 level is implemented in an organised, factual manner, based on a clear legal framework.