Responding to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department’s (Law and Institutional Reform) answer to a Sarawak MP on Jan 26, Lau said the minister had attempted to equate MA63 with the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974. Lau stressed that the PDA 1974 is subordinate to both the Federal Constitution and MA63. “Such matters are governed by the constitutions and laws applicable to the land on which those resources are located,” Lau explained. “In this instance, Petronas operates on land belonging to Sarawak, and it is therefore subject to the laws of Sarawak,” he said. Lau further stressed that federal legislation enacted by Parliament cannot override state laws in matters within state jurisdiction.