Anwar calls for calm over Petronas-Petros gas dispute
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will meet with Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg after the latter returns from his official trip to London. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for calm and restraint amid escalating tensions between national oil firm Petronas and Sarawak's state-owned Petros over their licensing dispute.
Citing the need to protect mutual interest, Anwar urged all parties to hold off any action or public statement until further discussions are held, following a conversation with Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg yesterday.
'Upon the premier's return from his official visit to London, United Kingdom, we will immediately hold further discussions to finalise the matter.
'I am strongly confident that this issue can be resolved prudently through prudent and meaningful discourse, God willing,' he said in an X posting today.
This comes after Petronas confirmed that its subsidiary, Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, received a notice on April 30 from the Sarawak utility and telecommunications ministry concerning gas processing and distribution.
In the letter, Carigali was accused of operating its Miri Crude Oil Terminal without a state licence.
The state has given the company 21 days to rectify the matter, failing which it would face financial penalties under Section 21a of the state's Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016.
Petronas maintains that its operations are authorised under federal law and has expressed willingness to engage with both federal and state governments to ensure regulatory clarity.
Separately, Abang Johari was quoted by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) as saying he had given Anwar his assurance of pursuing a 'win-win solution' that ensures fair revenue distribution.
'In this issue, we're playing the game a bit with Petronas, but we will resolve it,' he reportedly said.
'The prime minister contacted me this morning, and we agreed to move forward with a fair and sincere approach,' he said, adding that Sarawak had fulfilled its responsibilities despite not receiving additional revenue.
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