By Amanda L
KUCHING, Feb 24: The federal government will respect the ongoing court process involving Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), amid questions over whether both entities are pursuing a commercial settlement outside the judiciary, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said today.
“The matter is currently before the court and should be determined through the legal process.
“We respect the petition that has been filed. It is appropriate for the court to determine the matter based on the law and the facts,” he told reporters after delivering an address to heads of federal departments and agencies at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, today.
When pressed on whether PETROS and PETRONAS were negotiating a commercial resolution without going through the court, Mustapha said there was no official confirmation of any such arrangement at this stage and that the focus remained on allowing the legal process to take its course.
While the court proceedings continue, Sarawak has indicated that discussions with the federal government on oil and gas matters are ongoing, with hopes of reaching a commercial settlement.
Separately, Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and PETROS) Datuk Ibrahim Baki told reporters on Feb 15 that the State hopes to reach a commercial settlement between PETRONAS and PETROS, suggesting that negotiations on a commercial resolution could continue alongside the ongoing court proceedings. — DayakDaily
