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‘What comes off the soil comes under native Adat’

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Datuk Dr John Lau Pang Heng

KUCHING: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) feels that Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 74) should be reviewed solely by the Sarawak Native Court.

Its chairman Datuk John Lau Pang Heng said PDA is not recognised in Sarawak because it has never been approved by the Sarawak State Assembly.

“SPA feels that this matter should be reviewed by the Sarawak Native Court in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution of Sarawak and 145(c) of the Federal Constitution (FC),” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said running to Malayan courts makes Sarawak look inferior when Adat Iban is still a potent force to be reckoned with.

“Petroleum products and every other commodity that come out of native soil are connected to native law and custom according to Article 76(2) and 160 of the FC,” he stressed.

On the recent Kuching High Court decision to dismiss the judicial review applicant by Petronas against Sarawak government on the imposition of SST on petroleum products, Lau urged Petronas to settle the unpaid State Sales Tax (SST) to the Sarawak government.

“We ask Petronas to respect Sarawak laws enacted by the Sarawak State Assembly as Sarawak government is empowered by Federal Constitution under Article 95B (3) to impose SST,” he said.

He called on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to advise Petronas not to appeal the decision of the High Court.

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