Ewon and Phoong's full statement on the Petronas Agreement

We accept Tan Sri Harris Salleh's challenge to propose a motion at the State Assembly to revoke Petronas Agreement - Ewon, Jin Zhe

Full Statement (12 July 2022)

We have taken note of the statement by the former Chief Minister, Tan Sri Harris Salleh who stated that the Petronas Agreement was signed to comply with the Petroleum Development Act which was passed in Parliament in 1974.

He also said that Sabah Elected Representatives at that time also supported the decision.

Tan Sri Harris also challenged both of us to move a motion in the State Legislative Assembly sitting to revoke the Petronas Agreement.

We accept the challenge, and we will move the motion to revoke the Petronas Agreement at the State Legislative Assembly sitting which will be held from 18th to 21st July this month.

We are of the view that all laws passed in Parliament related to the rights and interests of Sabah as in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 must first be passed in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) before being enforced. If it is not approved in the Sabah Assembly, then the act should not be enforced in Sabah.

We reiterated our strong opinion that the Petronas Agreement signed by Tan Sri Harris and Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan was a big mistake.

The elected representatives who agreed with the decision were also held accountable for the mistake.

Sabah needs strong leadership, who are not easily get bullied with the demands by the Federal Government especially when it only benefits Putrajaya.

We both are committed to continue to fight for our rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963. This includes optimising the Sabah State Legislative Assembly platform and also through the legal process as we have done before when filing our Originating Summons (OS) at the High Court to pursue the implementation of 40% federal revenue in Sabah.

Shall we not succeed through State Assembly Sitting to revoke the Petronas Agreement, we will consider submitting an application for Judicial Review to challenge if Petronas Development Act 1974 and Petronas Agreement is valid especially when it was passed during Emergency which has now been revoked.

PDA was a big mistake, Harris and Pairin should come forward and clarify

Full statement (8 July 2022)

Two former Chief Ministers of Sabah, Tan Sri Harris Salleh and Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan have made it into front-page news with their statements on the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah.

What about the Petronas Development Act? Both Harris and Pairin were signatories to the Petronas Agreement, which was a big mistake as Sabah forever lost its authority over oil and gas resources.

Because of this mistake, Sabah until today is facing a poor road network, problematic water and electricity supply, lacking healthcare and education facilities as well as other social amenities, especially in the rural areas.

As the Chief Minister and Minister who signed the Petronas Agreement, we urge and challenge both Harris and Pairin to come forward and clarify why they made the decision.

Until now, they have never issued any statement or explanation on their decision related to PDA. They will be remembered for this mistake which cannot be forgiven by the people of Sabah.

As a new generation of Wakil Rakyat, we take it as a lesson. Hopefully, the current and future Government of Sabah will not repeat such a mistake.

Instead, we must defend our remaining rights and continue to demand the fulfilment of our rights as enshrined in the Malaysian Agreement 1963. That is why both of us, together with several other ADUN and Member of Parliament, have filed Originating Summon at High Court to demand the fulfilment of 40% federal revenue in Sabah as in Article 112 of the Federal Constitution.