Sarawak AG Chambers fully prepared for Petronas bid for clarity in court

KUCHING (Jan 15): The Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers is geared up for the court motion filed by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to seek clarification on the laws governing its operations in Sarawak.

State Legal Counsel Dato Sri JC Fong declined to comment on the implications of the case but said the state legal authorities were prepared.

“We, the Sarawak Attorney-General Chambers are prepared and fully equipped to respond to legal challenges initiated by Petronas,” he said when contacted.

The Federal Court has set March 2 for the case management on Petronas’ motion which named the Federal and Sarawak governments as respondents

On Monday, Petronas said in a statement that the application sought determination by the Federal Court on the legal position applicable to Petronas’ operations in Sarawak, to ensure that the company continues to operate in full compliance with the applicable laws and sound governance practices.

“It is not intended to challenge Sarawak’s development aspirations or hinder the role of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) in the state’s energy sector.”

It said the decision to file the motion follows “constructive engagements” since 2024 with Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) and both the Federal and State Governments through a series of dialogues and negotiations.

“While progress has been made on many commercial arrangements and partnerships – including the signing of Commercial Settlement Agreement (CSA) in 2020 – there have been differences which led to uncertainty in respect of the obligations applicable to Petronas,” it said.

Reacting to the filing of the motion, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said on Tuesday that Petronas might be seeking guidance from the judiciary, but regardless of the outcome, the move would not have a significant impact on Sarawak.

“At the end of the day, a solution must be found. What is important is clarity,” Abang Johari told reporters.

“We are a country that upholds the rule of law, and we will follow the rule of law. The court will decide.”

Separately, a Court Notice of Hearing cited by The Borneo Post indicated that the continuation of a civil suit by Petros against Petronas involving a bank guarantee, before Kuching High Court Judge Dato Faridz Gohim Abdullah, has been rescheduled from Jan 30, 2026, to Feb 25, 2026.