Petros-Petronas: Sarawak Pledges Good Faith Implementation Of Joint Declaration Framework

Barnama

22-05-2025

GENERAL
KUCHING, May 22 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is committed to working closely with the federal government, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) to implement the joint declaration framework in good faith.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state reaffirmed its position that both federal and Sarawak laws must coexist in harmony and be respected by all parties.
'And this declaration gives them a guide on how they (Petronas) are doing their business in collaboration with Petros. Petronas still have to apply for the license to tell us.
'Petros is the gas aggregator, but the authority to produce a license lies with the Ministry for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (MUT), which has the authority to exempt Petronas, being a national company…we give the exemption to them,' he told reporters at the state assembly building here, today.
Abang Johari said this to explain the joint declaration between the federal and state governments signed yesterday.
The Premier also gave assurance that the declaration will not be abolished even if there is a change of government in the future.
He also reiterated that the declaration is a clear manifestation of mutual respect and recognition of Sarawak's regulatory framework, particularly the State Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (DGO 2016).
Yesterday, the federal and state governments reached an understanding on matters involving Petronas and Petros. The joint declaration framework was signed at Perdana Putra by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Abang Johari.
Meanwhile, when asked whether the declaration would impact the ongoing court cases between Petros and Petronas, Abang Johari said the state government will leave the matter to the legal team to decide.