SARAWAK Pakatan Harapan today questioned the timing of the chief minister’s courtesy call on Dr Mahathir Mohamad on May 31.

Chairman Chong Chieng Jen asked if Abang Johari Openg’s visit to the prime minister was connected with Petronas’ application to the Federal Court on the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA) and Sarawak’s mining ordinance.

The national oil company is seeking a declaration from the federal court that it is the exclusive owner of petroleum resources in Malaysia, including in Sarawak, under the PDA.

While Chong questioned the timing of the courtesy call and Petronas’ application, he would not say there was a conspiracy between the chief minister and prime minister over control of the state’s oil and gas resources.

“I’m not saying there’s a conspiracy, but the meeting is just too coincidental,” he told reporters at Kuching this afternoon.

“I don’t know what transpired in the meeting between Abang Jo and Tun M,” he said, referring to the popular nicknames of the Sarawak chief minister and the prime minister.

“I just find it too coincident. They met, both of them smiling happily. Abang Jo was so happy.

“Shortly after the meeting with Tun M, the case was filed.”

Chong, who is also the state DAP chief and Stampin MP, suggested Petronas could not have initiated the legal proceedings on its own.

He said for Petronas to file this case, “they must have a directive or permission from the prime minister”.

Yesterday, former PKR state assemblyman Dominique Ng also questioned the prime minister’s role in the Petronas application.

Ng, also the former PKR state liaison chief, slammed Dr Mahathir for saying on Wednesday he would not intervene in legal action.

“I don’t quite understand (what he said). Isn’t he the prime minister of Malaysia?

“He can tell Petronas (to) go fly kites,” Ng said.

Deputy Chief Minister James Masing said: “When Petronas wants to have the final grab on our oil and gas… Tun M allows it. – June 8, 2018.