KUCHING, Feb. 23 -- The Sarawak government has filed a petition in the Federal Court seeking a determination on the constitutional validity and continued applicability of several federal petroleum laws to the state.

Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said the petition was filed on Monday to determine the constitutional validity and continued applicability of the Petroleum Development Act 1974, the Continental Shelf Act 1966 and the Petroleum Mining Act 1966 to Sarawak.

She said the federal Acts adversely affect and deprive Sarawak of its rights to natural resources, including oil and gas, found in the seabed of the continental shelf within the bo...