By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 18: The Sarawak government will request the federal government to allow gas exploration in offshore areas of western Sarawak and other parts of the Continental Shelf to support Petroliam Nasional Berhad’s (PETRONAS) needs and advance the Sarawak Gas Roadmap.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, stressed that this is crucial to ensuring PETRONAS can supply up to 1.2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day for domestic use, as guaranteed.
“The guaranteed volume, or any additional amount, will be essential to advancing the Sarawak Gas Roadmap. The Sarawak government must ensure that this volume is supplied at a fair price—one that encourages investments and industrial growth in Sarawak,” he said in a statement today.
This is among the agreements reached following discussions between Abang Johari and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the recent PETRONAS-Petros gas dispute.
Abang Johari reaffirmed Sarawak’s commitment to national interests, ensuring that gas from offshore western Sarawak and other areas is used sustainably.
This includes supporting Sarawak’s industrial growth, meeting Peninsular Malaysia’s energy needs, and facilitating clean energy production—aligning with the federal government’s vision of Sarawak as Malaysia’s Clean Energy Hub.
“Whilst safeguarding the constitutional rights and powers, the Sarawak government recognises the aspirations of Sarawakians for better system of gas utilisation and allocation to support the Sarawak Gas Roadmap must be balanced with the need for the stability and growth of the oil and gas industry in Sarawak, especially at this time of global economic challenges and transition toward renewable energy,” he added.
He also expressed gratitude to Anwar for acknowledging in Parliament yesterday (Feb 17) that Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) is the gas aggregator in the region and that the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016 provides the legal framework for Sarawak’s active participation in the oil and gas sector.
Speaking in Parliament, Anwar confirmed that PETRONAS will continue to fulfill all existing domestic and international contractual obligations in Sarawak, even as Petros assumes the role of gas aggregator effective March 1.
However, Abang Johari stressed that the execution of these contracts must not undermine Petros’ role as gas aggregator or conflict with the provisions of the DGO 2016.
Petros has been appointed as the gas aggregator in Sarawak under section 7A of the DGO 2016 and will discharge its functions and duties as expressly stipulated in the DGO 2016 and in accordance with directions issued thereunder by the Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Sarawak.
“All parties will respect federal and Sarawak laws including Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) and DGO 2016.
“PETRONAS and Petros will work as partners to advance national and Sarawak’s interests and revenues, while ensuring that the interests of Sarawak would have to be prioritised,” he added. — DayakDaily
