Federal Govt, Sarawak seek amicable solution to Petronas-Petros dispute
THE Federal Government and the Sarawak state government are working to resolve matters involving Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) without amending the Federal Constitution or existing laws.
Utusan Malaysia reported Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the negotiations involve the Attorney General, Sarawak State Attorney-General, Petronas, Petros, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
'These talks are ongoing and do not involve any constitutional or legal amendments,' he said as qouted by the Malay daily.
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said the aim is to find a solution acceptable to all parties rather than going through the courts.
'If legal matters are involved, they can only be resolved through court. But we want to find a solution that works for everyone,' he said.
He said the roles of both the Attorney General and the State Attorney-General are part of the discussions.
Commenting on a lawyer's suggestion that the two legal offices advise the government on legal and constitutional matters, Fadillah said their roles are already being taken into account.
Earlier, several media reported that the Sarawak government had sent a letter of demand to Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) for allegedly breaching Section 7(e) of the Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016.
The Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak said PCSB's Miri Crude Oil Terminal was operating without a valid permit for gas pipeline and equipment works.
Petronas confirmed that PCSB received the notice from the ministry on April 30 regarding gas processing and distribution.
Fadillah also said the issue between Petronas and Petros is separate from the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) discussions.
'The Petronas-Petros matter is separate. MA63 talks are ongoing and many issues have been or are being resolved in stages,' he added. — TMR
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