Malaysia Mirror | Wednesday, 05 May 2010
KUCHING – The question of sovereignty concerning the state of Sarawak and the oil-rich Blocks L and M, which were signed away to Brunei, was raised by DAP state assemblyman for Bukit Assek Wong Ho Leng on Tuesday.
In a media statement, Wong, who is DAP Sarawak chairperson, questioned the role of the Sarawak government on this issue and why the Federal government did not consult the state government.
Wong called for a detailed explanation from the state government as to whether it was aware of such “trades” involving Limbang and Blocks L and M.
He said the state government needs to clarify immediately whether it has neglected the interest of Sarawakians by giving up the jurisdiction on the two disputed oil-rich blocks to the Federal government.
“If the oil-producing areas are located well within the territory of Sarawak, the Federal government would have to obtain the consent of the Sarawak state government, and the state government would have to give consent to the state assembly,” he said.
SUPP “marginalised”
He said the second provision of the Federal Constitution states: “If the Federal government is to change the state’s borders, it must obtain the consent of the state in order to do so.”
“If you recall, when the Federal government sought to establish Putrajaya as its own Federal territory, the Selangor government took this step and gave consent by consulting its own state assembly first, before making the huge decision,” he said.
Wong claimed that the BN government “had completely marginalised SUPP in its negotiations, and SUPP is powerless in its position to be involved”.
He said SUPP is not at all capable to be the state government if its unawareness of the negotiation had led to the ceding of Malaysian sovereignty of the two disputed blocks to Brunei.
He also questioned the previous Abdullah administration for reaching an agreement with the Brunei government to give away the oil sovereignty which “is tantamount to giving up part of its own territory.”
Revealed by Mahathir
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last week revealed that the two disputed oil-rich blocks are no longer rightfully owned by Malaysia which had incurred a possible loss in excess of up to RM320 billion.
Dr M had also accused his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of giving away these rights to oil earnings for the exchange of Limbang in Sarawak. Both the Block L and M are situated offshore near Limbang.
Up till now, the Brunei government has not made it clear regarding its stand on the territorial disputes involving Limbang, according to Wong’s statement.
“Sarawakians deserve to know the truth about the handover of offshore oil blocks L and M to Brunei last March,” said Wong.
Wong said he would raise the issue at the May 17 state assembly with two other Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen. — Malaysian Mirror