By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 4: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has revealed that he received a phone call from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday (London time), reflecting a renewed commitment towards reaching an amicable and equitable resolution over ongoing issues involving Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) and the Sarawak government.
Speaking during the Sarawak Agenda Townhall session held in conjunction with Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2025–United Kingdom Edition, Abang Johari said discussions are progressing based on a win-win formula for both Sarawak and PETRONAS.
“In this oil and gas matter, we’ve been tactfully ‘playing ball’ with Petronas for a while now. By now, I am sure many of you are aware of the latest developments surrounding this issue.
“However, we are working towards resolving it. In fact, the Prime Minister personally contacted me this morning (Saturday, London time), and we reached a mutual understanding to move towards a resolution.
“This solution will be based on mutual goodwill and the belief that the nation’s oil and gas wealth should be shared fairly. Sarawak has fulfilled its responsibilities,” he said as quoted by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
The Premier also underscored the Sarawak government’s efforts to strengthen the State’s economic foundation, highlighting the establishment of the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund, which has been allocated RM8 billion in reserves.
He said the State is focused on achieving strong and sustainable economic stability, after which the benefits of growth will be returned to the people through a comprehensive and structured development strategy.
“Our current focus is on consolidating the State’s economic base.
“Once we have achieved solid economic stability, the returns will be distributed to the people through a structured and comprehensive approach across all sectors,” he said.
Also present at the session were Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and Federal-State Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Minister for Utilities (Sarawak Energy Berhad and PETROS) Dato Ibrahim Baki, Sarawak Attorney-General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and the Premier’s Chief Political Secretary Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, who moderated the session.
The townhall was part of the Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2025 UK Edition, which brought together around 230 Sarawakian students from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. — DayakDaily
