KUCHING: Datuk Idris Buang has asserted that all carbon matters, including carbon storage, the airspace (the spectrum) above Sarawak’s land, the continental shelf, seabed and subsoil are inherently owned by Sarawak.
“Sarawak sovereign rights thereto have always been safeguarded by Sarawak laws, which are further protected by the Federal Constitution itself, which provides autonomy for Sarawak to legislate these laws.
“The existence of these unique laws of ours, especially regarding land, mining, water, oil and gas, forests and matters related or connected thereto, have been in force since before Sarawak formed Malaysia with its other partners, Federated Malaya & North Borneo (Singapore then).
“Any amendments to these laws, for example, the amendments to its Land Code in 2022, are merely to update the law in line with the contemporary usage, terms and latest technology.
“These amendments stem out of Sarawak’s own inherent sovereign rights intrinsically secured under its own laws,” the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 11).
He was backing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s stance at a PBB Special Convention in Betong recently to defy claims by certain parties asserting authority over carbon matters in Sarawak.
He also said that whoever claims or try to assert authority over these matters has to go through “the whole nine yards of history” and review their position so as not to be accused of trying to bully or patronise Sarawak.
“Such attitude is regretfully unwelcome. These matters such as land, water, electricity, forests, mining, local government, religion, native rights and many others upon which Sarawak is clearly autonomous to legislate and enforce, should not be questioned or violated,” Idris stressed.
He said these inviolable rights to legislate are preserved in the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report incorporated in the Malaysian Agreement of 1963.
“This very agreement was the basis upon which the federation of Malaysia was formed and its spirit lives on. Our Federal Constitution now made reference of this in Article 160 (2) ( read with Article 1(2) of the same.”
He also urged the people behind such making of the reports to be properly briefed on the real things that Sarawak government had done for the period under review and revise these reports in order to give a fair and accurate view in Sarawak.
“I also urged Abang Johari to carry on in his exemplary efforts in all the great initiatives he has embarked upon with even more vigor as the world is witnessing that he really walks the talk since he took over the helm of leadership in 2017.
“Recently, he made history by receiving the prestigious WITSA Eminent Person Award for technological contribution. The award is a significant recognition of his contributions and innovative vision in the field of technology and green energy,” Idris added.
