Authority over distribution of state’s O&G resources belongs...

KUCHING, February 10 — According to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak has the

authority to decide how to divide up its oil and gas (O&G) resources inside its borders.

According to him, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) is responsible for managing all federal oil and gas resources

across the country, as stipulated by the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, which the state has recognised.

We agree with this, however Sarawak must have a voice in the extraction of gas and oil on its soil. For this reason, we

established Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), and Petros and Petronas would collaborate.

Additionally, we have a voice in how gas is distributed. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia,

recently decided that Petros will be the gas aggregator (in Sarawak),’ he said in an interview following a public

presentation at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore today.

Abang Johari asserts that Petros and Petronas have similar functions and that it is well acknowledged that the

former supports Sarawak’s oil and gas industry.

According to reports last month, Anwar stated that Petros had been given permission to serve as Sarawak’s gas

aggregator and that this would not affect Petronas’ current business activities.

“Petronas maintains its power across the country, but gives Sarawak authority over domestic gas distribution.” “This

is a prime example of collaboration between the two organisations,” he stated during an Abu Dhabi news conference.

The Borneo Post

Authority over distribution of state’s O&G resources belongs to Sarawak, says Abg Jo