Sarawak Open To Sharing Oil And Gas Resources Says Abang Jo

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Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg, who is president of PBB, arriving at the PBB general assembly in Kuching today. (Ukas pic)
PETALING JAYA: Sarawak is open to sharing the state’s oil and gas resources for mutual benefit, premier Abang Johari Openg said today.
The state ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, “was not stingy”, he said. “What we have, we can share. We cannot just ‘makan seorang’ (eat alone),” he was quoted by The Borneo Post as saying.
Abang Johari called for greater collaboration between the state and national oil companies, Petros and Petronas, to ensure that Sarawak remains a key player in the energy sector.
Petros has been named the sole gas aggregator in Sarawak.
He also gave his reassurance that despite the challenges, Sarawak remains committed to fairness and inclusivity in the energy sector.
Sarawak has been at odds with the federal government over the state’s rights to oil and gas reserves found within its boundaries and has contended that state law governs exploitation of its oil and gas reserves.
The federal government has contended that rights over oil and gas reserves come under the federal Petroleum Development Act 1974.
Abang Johari’s comments come days after a government backbencher said that Sarawakians want a fair solution in the dispute.
Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin said Sarawak was not demanding the entire oil and gas revenue but only for a “win-win solution for mutual prosperity”.
In January, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said issues concerning Petronas and Petros over the right to distribute gas in Sarawak had been resolved following negotiations and a meeting with Abang Johari.
Earlier this month, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said Sarawak had accepted that the Petroleum Development Act dictated the operation of Malaysia’s petroleum sector, not state ordinances.
Azalina said this was among the key matters agreed on by Anwar and Abang Johari during the meeting on Jan 7. - FMT

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