KUCHING: Sarawak is prepared to negotiate which aspects of oil and gas operations should remain with the national company, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), and which should be under the state’s control.
Speaking during an interview on BFM’s The Breakfast Grille today, the Works Minister who is also Kapit Member of Parliament emphasised that the state is not seeking to harm PETRONAS, but aims to assert its rights over oil and gas resources.
“We never say we don’t want to. But we are prepared to negotiate which aspect should be left with the national company, and which aspect should be ours,” he said.
He acknowledged ongoing debates over Sarawak’s oil and gas rights, noting that while progress has been made, key issues – including the state-owned company Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS) – remain unresolved.
“To us, PETRONAS shouldn’t be too worried, because we’re not going to hurt PETRONAS purposely to say that. Why should we want to kill off PETRONAS? No.
“We know what we need. We want to have what we want. I think PETRONAS has been assured by our Premier that, look, we understand what PETRONAS’ role is.
“Except for real, of course, you may not be able to continue to have everything like you used to, what they say in the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974,” he added.
He stressed that Sarawak’s approach balances state interests with national considerations.
Referring to his grandfather, prominent Iban leader, Tun Datuk Patinggi Temenggong Jugah Barieng, who signed the Malaysian Agreement on behalf of the Dayak community, Nanta said, “I love Malaysia. But when I have to also think about Sarawak, I’ll be with the Premier. I’ll be with the leaders in Sarawak. I’m a Sarawakian. Sarawak first. Fortunately, Sarawak first in this matter.”
He also highlighted the broader impact of Sarawak’s prosperity on the nation.
“If Sarawak prospers, Malaysia prospers,” he said, recalling the historical contributions of Sarawakians even before Malaysia’s formation.
Nanta also highlighted that while much has been achieved under the ongoing Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiations – reflected in the launch of the state’s MA63 dashboard – there remain critical issues that Sarawak believes have yet to be resolved.
“Much has been discussed. And if you realise the debates by our Members of Parliament from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the last few days, even today, perhaps, if someone were to speak from Sarawak, he’d probably touch on the same subject.
“That, yes, many have been achieved. That’s why the dashboard. But I think there are still a few very significant points, matters that we think we have not achieved,” he said.
