Lo Khere Chiang Rejects Tengku Razaleigh’s Claim on Petroleum Development Act

suppadmin | September 18, 2025

Batu Kitang State assemblyman Dato’ Ir. Lo Khere Chiang has rejected Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s remarks portraying the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 as a cornerstone of unity, calling it a “revisionist tale to protect federal interests at Sarawak’s expense.”

“Tengku Razaleigh’s attempt to glorify the PDA is nothing more than a revisionist story that shifts blame onto Sarawak’s departed leaders, who can no longer defend themselves,” Lo said.

He stressed that Sarawak never consented to the PDA. “Our State Assembly never debated or ratified the Act, and its validity here has been disputed ever since. Even the late Adenan Satem reminded us that the PDA was never binding on Sarawak,” he said.

Lo pointed to Sarawak’s successful imposition of the Sales Tax on petroleum in 2019, the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, and federal exemptions reaffirming the state’s authority as proof that the PDA was never absolute.

“If the PDA had truly settled everything in 1974, why were these exemptions and court rulings necessary?” he asked.

He added that real unity lies in respecting the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), not emergency-era laws. “What unites Malaysia are agreements solemnly entered into by equal partners. Sarawak has contributed faithfully, but we will not accept distorted narratives or myths that belittle our constitutional rights,” Lo said.