Defending Sarawak’s O&G Rights, Not About Weakening PETRONAS
KUCHING: Sarawak will not allow its legitimate rights over its oil and gas resources to be portrayed as a threat to PETRONAS or Malaysia’s national interest, said Senator Dato’ Ahmad Ibrahim.
He said any discussion on PETROS, PETRONAS and Sarawak’s petroleum rights must begin with historical facts, not political narratives that imply Sarawak is taking away resources that rightfully belonged to PETRONAS.
“Let us be clear: Sarawak is not weakening PETRONAS. Sarawak is defending rights that existed long before PETRONAS was even established.
“Oil production in Miri began in 1910. Sarawak already had its own petroleum industry and legal framework, including the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, decades before PETRONAS came into existence,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
Senator Dato’ Ahmad said Sarawak’s decision to strengthen PETROS was about correcting a longstanding imbalance and ensuring the people of Sarawak derive greater economic benefit from resources originating from their own territory.
“The national interest cannot simply mean preserving every commercial advantage for PETRONAS or centralising economic benefits in Kuala Lumpur. Sarawak is Malaysia, and the interests of Sarawakians are therefore part of the national interest,” he said.
He stressed that a strong PETROS and a strong PETRONAS were not mutually exclusive, pointing to the 21 May 2025 Joint Declaration recognising PETROS as Sarawak’s gas aggregator from 1 March 2025 while affirming PETRONAS’ continuing role under the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
“PETROS does not threaten Malaysia’s energy security. What it does is give Sarawak a stronger hand to use its resources to generate jobs, attract investment and build industries within the state.
“Sarawak has contributed enormously to Malaysia’s development for decades. It is neither unreasonable nor anti-national for Sarawak to demand a fairer return and a greater role in managing its own resources.
“Sarawak is not taking what belongs to others. We are standing up for what is rightfully ours while remaining committed to a strong, united and prosperous Malaysia,” he added. -UKASnews
