Sarawak’s O&G ambitions steered by five essential laws, says Premier

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Photo credit: Sarawak Premier's Office

By Chris Lidom and Marlynda Meraw

KUCHING, July 1: Sarawak’s ambitious pursuit in the oil and gas (O&G) industry is steered by five essential laws, says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He listed the five important laws, namely the Sarawak Land Code, the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958, the Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016, the Federal Constitution, and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Sarawak Land Code is our law that manages anything on our land and continental is our land. Therefore, the storage of carbon is our right.

“You (industries outside Sarawak) have to consult us (Sarawakians), and we have to work together based on our Sarawak Land Code,” said Abang Johari during his speech at the appreciation ceremony for vendors in the oil and gas industry at Hilton Hotel today.

Meanwhile, the OMO 1958, which he said had never been repealed, will have to coexist with the Petronas Development Act 1974.

“Number three is the Gas Distribution Ordinance. This is where the aggregator comes in. We become the authority to aggregate our gas distribution. If anyone who wants to do that, do knock on our door,” he said.

The subsequent law that is closely followed in pursuing oil and gas in Sarawak is the Federal Constitution, which, to Abang Johari, is Sarawak’s right.

He also cited the MA63 and stated that Sarawak does not take things that are not theirs while managing things according to the Region’s rights.

“We (Sarawakians) know that we should not take others’ rights. ‘Berdosa’ (It’s sinful). If it’s their rights, let it be their rights.

“This is where we work (together) and work in harmony,” said Abang Johari. festival-goers DayakDaily