By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 12: Sarawak’s push to expand Petroleum Sarawak Berhad’s (Petros) role in the State’s oil and gas sector is about retaining more value from its natural resources for local development, not weakening Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), says Senator Dato Ahmad Ibrahim.
Highlighting Sarawak’s long-standing energy heritage, he noted that oil production in Miri began in 1910, decades before PETRONAS was formed, with the State operating under its own legal frameworks like the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 even before Malaysia was established in 1963.
“PETROS’ growing role should be seen as a necessary step to rebalance economic benefits between PETRONAS, the federal government and Sarawak.
“Money retained for Sarawak’s development is not money lost to Malaysia,” he said in a recent statement.
As a wholly State-owned entity, he said PETROS directly boosts the national economy through taxation, job creation, infrastructure growth, and industrial expansion.
Ahmad emphasised that both energy giants can thrive together, with PETRONAS continuing its mandate under the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974.
He highlighted the historic May 21, 2025 Joint Declaration between the federal and Sarawak governments, which formally recognized PETROS as the State’s sole gas aggregator effective March 1, 2025.
“This landmark arrangement gives Sarawak greater autonomy over its natural gas resources to power local electricity generation, expand downstream industries, attract foreign investment, and create high-value jobs,” he added.
On the issue of regulatory compliance, the senator noted that any overlaps between the PDA 1974, the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, and the Federal Constitution should be resolved through constructive dialogue, constitutional avenue and legal channels if required. — DayakDaily
