Under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 Petronas has a monopoly over the extraction of oil and gas throughout the country. (AFP pic)
PETALING JAYA: A Sarawak assemblyman has called for Putrajaya to ensure Petronas respects the state’s laws, warning that its failure to do so may cause the state to sever its relationship with the unity government.
Hamzah Brahim (GPS-Stakan) warned Putrajaya not to allow Petronas’s “pride and greed” to “contribute to the potential downfall of the Madani government”, the Daily Dayak reported.
“This is possible because our laws are currently being dishonoured, belittled and disrespected,” he said when debating the state’s 2025 budget yesterday.
Hamzah slammed Petronas for its “push-and-pull” approach in finalising a gas distribution agreement that would see Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) officially recognised as the state’s sole gas aggregator.
“Petronas should not say ‘okay, then wait,’ or agree in one meeting, then later say that they need to discuss it again.
“We urge the federal government to adopt a serious and positive stance to promptly resolve this agreement,” he was quoted as saying.
Hamzah said Petronas, “like all companies operating in Sarawak”, must abide by the state’s laws.
“You are not above the law. Don’t be stubborn. Don’t be disrespectful. Don’t demean Sarawak’s laws, when everyone else is complying,” he said.
Hamzah also panned unnamed “leaders” for what he perceived to be hypocrisy on their part.
“It is unacceptable for leaders from the peninsula to proclaim respect for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Sarawak’s rights publicly, only to work behind the scenes to undermine them.
“We, the people of Sarawak, have dignity. We have feelings, and we, too, can be hurt,” he said.
Under the Petroleum Development Act 1974, Petronas has ownership of all oil and gas throughout the country, including in Sarawak.
However, the Sarawak government has recently sought greater control over resources within the state through Petros.
In July, Sarawak announced an intention for Petros to take over the buying and selling of gas in the state and set a three-month deadline for Petronas to resolve all gas distribution issues with the state-owned oil company.
On Oct 31, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said the dispute had been resolved, with Petronas agreeing in principle to Petros serving as the sole gas aggregator for Sarawak.
However, Petronas disputed this, saying discussions were still ongoing.
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