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‘Judges will interpret the law as it is’

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Sharifah Hasidah

Sarawak’s case against Petronas

KUCHING: Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali believes in the independence of the judiciary and that the rule of law will be upheld with regards to Sarawak’s case against Petronas.

“I believe that the judges will interpret the law as it is. As far as we are concerned, we are not breaching any law. We are only enforcing our constitutional right.

Sharifah Hasidah

“We have every right to enforce our Ordinance,” said the Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring).

She said this when met by reporters at ‘Talking About What Really Matters’ forum at Chemsain Building here last Friday.

According to her, they were now at the pleading stage with exchange of documents, which would take a bit of time.

“It is not going to be easy to negotiate,” Sharifah said.

During her presentation at the forum, she explained the background of the state’s case against Petronas as well as Sarawak’s rights.

“It was unanimously agreed upon and approved during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting last year to impose a five per cent sales tax on all exported petroleum products,” she said.

She said that Petronas had refused to pay and wanted to negotiate.

“This is not something to negotiate because it is our constitutional right.”

Sharifah pointed out that Sarawak had contributed hugely to the success of Petronas.

“Therefore, the time has come for us to get a little bit back to the state.”

She emphasised that the enforcement of the Ordinance showed to Petronas, the federal government, and the world that oil and gas extracted within Sarawak’s boundaries up to its continental shelf belonged to the state.

“Anybody who wants to take, mine, or gain benefits from it must obtain a licence and permit, and they must pay royalties to the state. We can impose conditions and terms on companies who wish to operate in Sarawak,” Sharifah said.

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