SUBANG JAYA: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) should be recognised as a national oil company instead of a “Semenanjung” (Peninsula) entity as outlined by the Petroleum Development Act 1947, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said currently, both Sarawak and the Federal Government are in agreement about the roles of PETRONAS and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) in the region’s oil and gas industry.
“It’s not a peninsula company. I’ve made it clear, there’s no two ways about it. It is therefore crucial for PETRONAS to be recognised as a national oil company, one that honours all contractual obligations without compromise,” he said during an interview with editors-in-chief yesterday.
“And it is also important for PETRONAS to recognise the need to support Petros and to allow it to emerge as an important player,” he said.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said in the case of new contracts, PETRONAS and Petros must work together.
“I think these are essentially the broad parameters. They recognise the national rules. We recognise the state rules, and we should work together.”
Sarawak had previously decided that Petros, its state-owned petroleum company, would take over all natural gas trading activities in the state from July 1.
PETRONAS requested a postponement, citing concerns over the impact on gas distribution to its LNG plant in Bintulu.
In July, Sarawak granted PETRONAS a three-month extension to finalise the supervisory arrangement for gas distribution in the state with Petros.
On a separate matter, Anwar said the draft Cabinet paper on the separation of powers between the Attorney General’s Chambers and the public prosecutor’s office is expected to be ready by the middle of 2025.
He said the Cabinet had accepted the proposed division of functions and a minister has been assigned to lead a task force overseeing the matter.
However, he said, it could take some time as it involves various legal amendments, including to the Federal Constitution.
“Having said that, it will run through, hopefully by the middle of next year. I haven’t seen the draft yet. The only paper presented so far was a policy decision on whether we agree with the division passed by the Cabinet,” he added.
On Dec 4, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that the separation of the Attorney General’s Chambers and the public prosecutor’s office would be a lengthy process.
“We need a thorough study because Malaysia has various laws. In other countries that have separation of powers, some have backtracked. This is a big problem and that is why we need a comprehensive and in-depth study.
“It (study) is necessary so that the decision on the separation of powers remains permanent,” she said during Question Time in Dewan Negara.
