KUCHING: Sarawak, through Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS), is clearly positioned as a partner to Malaysia's multinational oil and gas company, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), in the oil and gas industry.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said Sarawak is not merely an observer but is actively involved in the industry, even though it is through a state-owned oil company.

He emphasised, Sarawak is not attempting to monopolise the oil and gas industry through PETROS by taking over PETRONAS's rights, and there is no notion of 'big brother' or 'little brother' between PETROS and PETRONAS as Sarawak has long been a player in this industry since 1910.

"Of course, PETRONAS has been the main player since 1974 with the introduction of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, but Sarawak has been involved in the oil and gas industry long before that, since 1910.

"The people of Sarawak collaborate with PETRONAS, and at the same time, Sarawakian companies also cooperate with PETRONAS through Production Sharing Contracts (PSC).

"Because of this background and experience, we established PETROS to be a partner to PETRONAS and at the same time to find ways to mitigate the effects of climate change," he said.

He made these remarks while speaking at the Sarawak Oil and Gas Services and Equipment (OGSE) Vendors Commemoration 2024, held here on Monday.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also stressed that Sarawak is not violating the spirit of cooperation with PETRONAS, contrary to some incorrect claims on social media regarding Sarawak's involvement in the oil and gas industry through PETROS.

He explained that the collaboration between PETROS and PETRONAS is harmonious under five laws based on Sarawak's rights.

"Firstly, the Sarawak Land Code; it is the law that governs everything related to our land and natural resources. Therefore, carbon storage is our right.

"Secondly, we have the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958, which manages our oil and gas resources.

"Thirdly, the Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016, making us the authority for Sarawak Gas Distribution Sdn Bhd (SGDSB) or gas distribution.

"Fourthly, the Constitution of Malaysia, where we have several provisions such as sales tax.

"And the fifth law is the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he explained when met by the media after the event.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak State Financial Secretary, Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Senior Vice President of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), Datuk Ir Bacho Pilong, PETRONAS Board Member, Dato Ibrahim Baki, Advisor to the Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais, PETRONAS Group Procurement Vice President, Rashidah Alias, PETRONAS Group Human Resource Management Vice President, Ruslan Islahudin, and PETRONAS Group Strategic Relations and Communication Vice President, Nooruddin Abdullah. -UKASnews