MIRI: DAP Members of Parliament (MP) from Sarawak are considering to put a debate or even a motion in Parliament for Petronas to come forward with explanation on the issue of work permits for its staff from Peninsular Malaysia working in its operation in the state and offshore waters and other related matters.
State DAP secretary Alan Ling Sie Kiong said the opposition MPs from Sarawak would bring Parliament’s attention to the issues during its sitting this October to protect the state’s rights.
“By way of debate or even motion in Parliament on Petronas issue, Sarawakians and the people will know the national oil and gas giant company’s operation including giving priority to Sarawakians to fill in the positions here,” Ling said yesterday.
He was commenting on recent reports that the state government wanted more transparency on the hiring of employees by Petronas in its operation in Sarawak.
He said he was interested to see legal action taken against those workers found working in Sara-wak without work permits.
“And of course, in future this problem can be avoided by the relevant enforcement agency by doing preventive measures and the Sarawak government must stand firm on oil and gas compa-nies operating in our offshore waters.”
Ling, who is former Piasau assemblyman and DAP Miri chairman, said the abuse of social visit per-mits should serve as a lesson for Sarawakians to take stiffer action in ensuring that the oil and gas companies would comply with the state immigration laws.
Ling said being a company listed on For-tune 500, Petronas should comply with the immigration requirements of Sarawak.
Commenting further, he said the state government and the Immigration Department had been effective in taking action against illegal foreign workers in plantations and coffee shops.
“It is a shame that certain oil and gas companies are hiring illegal workers and what I’m interested in is for the Immigration Department to take action as members of the public have given tip-offs on the abuse,” Ling stressed.
At the same time, he urged the Immigration Department to check Peninsular Malaysian workers at entry points such as Miri Airport by asking them simple questions such as where they were working, whether they were on a visit and what they were doing.
Meanwhile, there will be a peaceful demonstration in front of the Petronas office at Lutong here this Aug 24, scheduled to commence at 11am.
The rally will involve members of DAP, PKR and local non- governmental organisations (NGOs).