Petronas confirms not contemplating legal action against Sarawak govt, Petros

KUCHING (Sept 24): Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has confirmed that it is not contemplating legal action against the Sarawak government and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros).

This was confirmed in a joint statement issued through the Premier’s Office today following a meeting between the Sarawak government, Petronas, and Petros here.

“The Sarawak government, Petronas, and Petros confirm that discussions regarding gas distribution in Sarawak are currently ongoing between the parties and to be concluded soon,” said the joint statement.

“All parties respect and abide by Federal and State laws regarding this matter.”

Apart from Abang Johari, other notable persons attending the meeting today were Petronas chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz, Petros CEO Dato Janin Girie, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki, Minister of Public Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and Federal-State Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.

On Sept 7, Channel News Asia (CNA) quoted government officials as saying Petronas was considering filing a court injunction to maintain itself as the sole guardian of Malaysia’s oil and gas resources.

The Singaporean news channel said the move was mooted due to Sarawak’s move for greater control of the trading and extraction of gas and other oil-related products in the state.

CNA quoted the federal government as saying Sarawak’s probable and proven reserves of petroleum represented 60.87 per cent of the country’s total reserves, while Sabah’s made up about 18.8 per cent.

The report said Sarawak also accounted for close to 90 per cent of Malaysia’s LNG exports.

On Sept 9, Bernama reported that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had said in Singapore that Petros is still in discussions with Petronas regarding the supervision of oil and gas trading in the state.

Addressing reports that the discussions had hit an impasse, Abang Johari pointed out the deadline for the discussions between the two companies remains Oct 1.

He said Petros will collaborate with Petronas in the development of both upstream and downstream activities and that the Sarawak government and Petros have no issue with Petronas.