Contrary to the claim of the Sarawak Government, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar’s earlier ministerial statement in Parliament this morning further confirms the Federal Government’s position that the main governing law on petroleum activities in Malaysia, including Sarawak, is Petroleum Development Act 1974 (the PDA 1974).
Anwar’s statement this morning further confirms that the Premier of Sarawak has agreed to it. So far as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) is concerned, Sarawak will get “1.2 bilion kai padu sehari”. The key message is that the regulatory body for LNG in Sarawak will continue to be Petronas who will decides the amount for Sarawak as and when the needs arises.
With such a definitive statement in Parliament by the Prime Minister, it only goes to show that, after so many years ofSarawak Government claiming to be fighting for more rights on Sarawak’s oil and gas, which movement was started by the late Adenan Satem, with this agreement on 7.1.2025, it ended up at the same spot where it started. Sarawak’s rights over oil and gas in Sarawak are still at the mercy and dictate of Petronas and the Federal Government.
This is a position that most Sarawakians will not agree to. Even the State Government’s legal advisor has made a public statement questioning the validity and legality of the PDA 1974. How the Premier has arrived at such agreement begs the question given the State Legal advisor’s legal opinion in public.
As such, this should not be the position taken by both the federal and state government.
I wish to put on record my stand that this purported agreement as outlined in the Prime Minister’s statement is the second time that the wealth of Sarawak (oil and gas) was taken away without compensation that commensurate. The first of such occasions was the passing of the PDA 1974.
Thinking out of the box, instead of an adversary position between Petros and Petronas (ie. your loss is my gain and my gain is your loss) and further negotiation on the rights, I hereby propose, as a solution to the matter, that the Federal government GIVES a 30% share in Petronas to the State Government and that 30% of the Board of Directors of Petronas to be Sarawakians.
This is also to do justice for the past misdeeds done to Sarawak. In that way, there will be continued certainty in the industry in that Petronas will still be the sole regulator in the country without any contradictory claims from Sarawak while Sarawak will be more reasonably compensated for its contribution to the wealth of Petronas. Then, both the Federal Government and Sarawak will share a common interest through their shares and equity participation in Petronas and all Sarawakians will sincerely and truly wish for the success of Petronas. Both West Malaysia and Sarawak will progress together with the profits and dividends of Petronas.
