By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, March 17: Dato Ibrahim Baki’s legal and corporate knowledge and experience will allow him to help the Sarawak government in its negotiations with PETRONAS, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Speaking during a press conference, the Premier said Ibrahim, who is the newly appointed deputy minister under the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak overseeing matters related to Sarawak Energy and Petros, has the advantage.
With Ibrahim’s experience during his time with PETRONAS, Abang Johari said it would be helpful to coordinate and strategically engage with PETRONAS.
“You have to have people with legal and corporate backgrounds to pursue our efforts to develop our gas industry, particularly our gas road map.
“Dato Ibrahim has an advantage because he has the experience. He was a PETRONAS scholar. He was also a legal officer in PETRONAS. He has been on the PETRONAS board, and he can help Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi (Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak).
“Our effort to move towards the gas road map, as well as collaboration between PETRONAS and Petros, is under the terms of the commercial agreement that is going to be undertaken and agreed upon by PETRONAS and Petros.
“We are still negotiating with PETRONAS, and Dato Ibrahim will help us (in our negotiation with PETRONAS),” he said.
The press conference followed Ibrahim’s swearing-in ceremony, which took place at Astana Negeri today.
Meanwhile, in a doorstep interview with the media, Ibrahim expressed gratitude to the Premier for his trust, as well as for the support he received from the people of Sarawak.
He described his appointment as a trust that comes with a responsibility to ensure everyone will achieve their shared vision and progress for Sarawak’s development.
“Our responsibility is to make sure that we work together to collaborate and ensure that we will achieve our shared vision and progress the development of Sarawak,” he said.
Additionally, Ibrahim admitted that while there will be challenges, there will also be opportunities which he would like to use to contribute to Sarawak.
“I’d like to contribute, together with my other colleagues, and of course (the) government, (and) people of Sarawak, (so) that we can achieve that shared vision for the continued and sustainable progress of Sarawak,” he said.
