KUCHING: The Sarawak government is leaving matters on the ownership, management and regulation of oil and gas resources in the state to the courts.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Abang Abdul Johari Tun Openg said the issue is currently under judicial consideration and declined to elaborate further.
“Wait for the court… wait for the court,” he told reporters after officiating at the Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference & Exhibition (APACE) 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday (Jan 27).
Abang Johari was responding to questions on a recent statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) does not contain provisions on the ownership, management or regulation of oil and gas resources.
In a written parliamentary reply, she noted that while MA63 sets out the terms for the formation of Malaysia and guarantees certain rights and autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak, it is silent on petroleum matters and does not define the roles of petroleum entities such as Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) or Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros).
On Jan 12, Petroliam Nasional Bhd filed an application at the Federal Court seeking clarification on the regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak.
The suit names both the federal and Sarawak governments as respondents and is intended to ensure that PETRONAS continues to operate within a stable regulatory regime while respecting due legal process.
