KUCHING: Sarawak’s efforts to strengthen its role in managing its oil and gas resources should not be portrayed as a threat to PETRONAS or Malaysia’s national interest.
Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said any discussion involving PETROS, PETRONAS and Sarawak’s petroleum rights should be grounded in historical facts rather than political narratives.
He said Sarawak had an established petroleum industry and legal framework decades before the establishment of PETRONAS.
“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 today (Sept 12).
Ahmad said Sarawak’s decision to strengthen PETROS was aimed at addressing a longstanding imbalance and ensuring Sarawakians gained greater economic benefits from resources originating from the State.
“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 stronger PETROS and PETRONAS could coexist, citing the Joint Declaration of May 21, 2025, which recognised PETROS as Sarawak’s gas aggregator effective March 1, 2025, while affirming PETRONAS’ continuing role under the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
Ahmad said PETROS would not undermine Malaysia’s energy security but would strengthen Sarawak’s ability to leverage its resources to create jobs, attract investment and develop 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 said.
