KUCHING: Miri MP Chiew Choon Man’s statement on Sarawak’s oil and gas revenues is “deeply misleading and not backed by credible global data,” says Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
Wong argued that Sarawak has long received only a small portion of the wealth extracted from its resources while Petronas continues to take the majority share.
“Between 1975 and 2024, Petronas’s share in the wealth extracted from Sarawak reached an estimated RM2.5 trillion or more. In the same period, Sarawak received just five percent in royalties amounting to RM49 billion. Even if we add dividends of RM28.6 billion and sales tax of RM18.66 billion, Sarawak only benefited around RM96 billion — a drop in the bucket compared to the RM2.5 trillion taken,” he said in a statement today (Sep 9).
He also countered Chiew’s claims about production costs, citing international benchmarks that show Sarawak’s offshore oil and gas production is far less costly than suggested.
“Schlumberger data shows production costs in mature fields average around USD12 per barrel and can go as low as USD6 per barrel. Even in the UK North Sea, one of the toughest offshore regions, operating costs are only about USD15–17 per barrel. If the North Sea can operate efficiently below USD20, why should Sarawak believe Chiew’s narrative that our fields cost significantly more?” Wong asked.
He further pressed Chiew to explain whose interests he was representing in making such remarks.
“Why is a Sarawakian MP downplaying Sarawak’s wealth? Why is he echoing Petronas’ narrative instead of defending Sarawak’s interests? Is he suggesting that five percent oil royalty is good enough for Sarawak? Has he forgotten that Sarawak produces far more oil and gas than Brunei, yet receives far less in return?” he asked.
Wong stressed that Sarawakians are not asking for special treatment but demanding fairness.
“We just want our rightful share. We want justice. We want to restore our sovereignty over our own natural resources,” he said.
