We can see clearly through the Joint Declaration that PETRONAS is still the owner of the oil and gas of Sarawak, with PETRONAS selling oil and gas to PETROS at prices set by PETRONAS for PETROS to distribute to their respective customers.

Joint Declaration on PETRONAS–PETROS ‘Understanding’ Is Not a Binding Agreement and it is our opinion that the Joint Declaration can “fools” the Public. It is a political declaration or a Memorandum of Understanding, not a legal instrument.

We refer to recent announcements that the Federal Government and Sarawak have reached an "understanding" on the matter of oil and gas rights through the signing of a so-called Joint Declaration involving Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS).

In our considered opinion, this declaration is not a legally binding agreement, nor does it settle the long-standing and fundamental constitutional and legal disputes surrounding the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74), the Continental Shelf Act 1966 (CSA66), the Territorial Seas Act 2012 (TSA2012) or the purported 1975 vesting agreement.

The public must not be misled. A declaration of "understanding" without force of law or the consent of the Sarawak Legislature does not in any way:
* resolve the question of the validity of federal laws that unilaterally usurped Sarawak's resource rights,
* address the breach of Sarawak's constitutional autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), or
* Provide any assurance that Sarawak’s oil and gas sovereignty is being restored.

If anything, this so-called declaration appears to be a political (election) manoeuvre designed to pacify public discontent in Sarawak without restoring any real legal or constitutional authority over Sarawak’s natural resources.

We urge the Sarawak Government not to participate in a narrative that can mislead Sarawakians. The people of Sarawak deserve nothing less than full legal recognition of their sovereign rights over their own land and resources, not vague statements of cooperation or backroom declarations.

There can be no real resolution until:
1. The PDA74 and CSA66 are declared unconstitutional, and
2. Sarawak’s control over its own continental shelf and resources is restored through legitimate constitutional and legal means, including legislative repeal and court rulings.

We call on all Sarawak-based political parties and civil society to scrutinise this so-called deal carefully and not to allow political expediency or convenience to override Sarawak’s legal rights and constitutional dignity.

Joint Statement by
1.Robert Pei, President, Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand(SSRANZ)
2.Voon Lee Shan, President, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK)