BY NATASHA JEE & MARGARET RINGGIT
MIRI: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has dismissed claims by certain quarters that Sarawak is greedy when it comes to its involvement in oil and gas activities.
He said the state is not greedy, rather it is a question of how one manages resources that will give positively to the state as well as Malaysia.
“After all, Sarawak produces the gas. How can people determine gas, (it) should be Sarawak. It belongs to Sarawak, isn’t that right?
“That is why constitutionally, we have the right on gas distribution. And we appointed Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) as the sole gas aggregator. And we do this based on our law.
“Hence, I and the Sarawak government, we develop according to the law and legislation. And we share (our resources),” he said during the ground-breaking ceremony for the Miri Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Plant here today (Nov 30).
Abang Johari, who is also Finance and New Economy Minister said the state must continue to innovate in managing its resources.
“In the past, Sesco was not like that. Now, Sesco, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and Petros are ‘brothers’.
“Their ‘father’ is Sarawak. Don’t fight. So SEB works together with Petros and is owned by Sarawak, and the state shares (the energy) with other people,” he said.
He also said it was important for Sarawak to continue to embrace technology in development.
“Sarawak income is now high income, and now we have to improve our household and median income.
“With the development carried out including in Miri, in the future, we will prosper and our economy will grow.
“But keep one thing in mind. Our unity must be maintained. Don’t be selfish. There is a lot to be shared.
“We must preserve our unity and we must have political stability. This is the basic ingredient for us to move forward. We have all the other ingredients,” he said.
With that, he said the state can further develop Petros as an oil and gas company.
“You know, I believe in organic development. You have to start somewhere. And then you grow together and build this company. And you must have a strategic alliance with other partners.
“You cannot be on your own. Petros cannot be on its own only. Petronas cannot be on its own only. Other companies cannot be on their own. There must be synergy and there must be collaboration between us,” he said.
He said the state is focused on boosting its economy and at the same time contributing to mitigate climate change.
