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Kota Kinabalu: A Sarawak deputy minister reportedly said that the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, like all laws, remains subordinate to the Federal Constitution.

Deputy Minister of Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations Datuk Seri Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said while both the PDA 1974 and Sarawak's Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016 are valid, the state never claimed the PDA 1974 holds absolute power. 

She further explained that federal control over petroleum, as outlined in the Federal Constitution's Item 8 (j), is limited by Sarawak's authority over land and natural resources under Item 2(c) of the State List, which includes issuing prospecting licenses and mining leases.

“Our stance has always been that both federal and state laws must be respected and must coexist,” she was quoted as saying in a report.

“The fundamental constitutional structure remains unchanged and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has never said that PDA 1974 cancels or overrides Sarawak’s laws or rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)."

Sharifah Hasidah's statement was a response to what she termed "ridiculous allegations" by political factions, particularly Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, regarding Sarawak's oil and gas rights and the PDA 1974.