Petros and Petronas in discussion over S’wak’s share from O&G revenue – CM

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Abang Johari speaking during the Meet The Media Session at Grand Margherita Hotel here today. Also seen on the right is Abdullah.

KUCHING: Petroleum Sarawak (Petros) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) are currently in a discussion over Sarawak’s share from the oil and gas (O&G) revenue through royalty, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“There is now a discussion between our side, Petros and Petronas. I do not want to jeopardise their discussion. Petros is asserting our rights, let them work together.

“They will report to federal and state governments, that is why I advised people against commenting too much on this,” he disclosed during Meet The Media Session at Grand Margherita Hotel here today which was moderated by Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs, Abdullah Saidol.

Although the Chief Minister did not delve much into the discussion between Petros and Petronas, he stressed that Sarawak must stick to its rights over oil and gas, particularly over regulatory control.

He confirmed that royalty is based on production and not profit.

On the ‘New Deal Agreement’ offered by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak to the Sarawak Government prior to the 14th General Election, Abang Johari commented: “The volume of 20 per cent royalty is what they (Pakatan Harapan Sarawak) promised and put in manifesto and nothing to do with us. It is their promise.

“Now they want to change their mind, not us, up to you la. But, I stick to our rights and we have OMO (Oil Mining Ordinance). I do not want to be dragged into this argument.”

Abang Johari said as far as he knew, the ‘New Deal Agreement’ came from a political party and not from the federal government.

“As far as I know, there was a memorandum sent to my office, at that time they were not government. This new deal is only from them as a political party and we as political party can also propose ours – our suggestions,” he said.

To further complicate matter, Abang Johari said that PH Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen is not even a member of Malaysia Cabinet because he is only the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism.