PETALONG JAYA: A leader from a local party has stated that Sarawak DAP Youth ought to avoid making unfounded allegations about the state’s governing alliance if they genuinely aim to advocate for Sarawak’s ownership of its oil and gas resources.
Nor should the wing mislead the public over the state-federal relationship, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth chairman Kevin Lau said.
“If they unite for the same cause, they can contribute towards presenting factual information about our rights,” according to Lau, as cited by The Borneo Post.
He stated that the youth wing of Sarawak DAP ought to follow the example set by Gabungan Parti Sarawak senators, who conducted a press briefing at Parliament earlier yesterday to challenge the narratives and reports circulated by specific media outlets.
Lau dismissed this suggestion when the Sarawak DAP Youth called for the formation of a non-partisan committee aimed at bolstering the state’s stance in talks with the federal government regarding its entitlements to oil and gas resources.
He stated that such an idea was regressive and suggested that it seemed as though the youth division was only trying to keep pace with achievements accomplished thus far.
Lau mentioned that both the Sarawak and federal governments have been involved in detailed talks since the era of the late Adenan Satem.
Premier Abang Johari Openg’s guidance has led to notable achievements, such as the recent designation of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) as the exclusive body responsible for gathering gas within the state.
“He stated that the youth wing of Sarawak DAP needs to determine and set out their own effective role in advocating for Sarawak’s ownership rights over its oil and gas resources.”
Yesterday, the youth wing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu criticised as outdated a suggestion from their DAP counterparts regarding the formation of a cross-party panel focused on oil and gas issues.
Azizul Annuar Adenan, who serves as the wing’s secretary, mentioned that forming such a committee wasn’t necessary since talks between the state government and the federal administration were going smoothly.
“Instead of forming a committee that would end up being unnecessary, Sarawak DAP Youth could begin by developing strategies alongside their peers in the federal government and Parliament to back our efforts in fighting for our rights within Parliament,” Azizul said.