Petronas wants Federal Court declaration on ownership

KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has applied to the Federal Court seeking a declaration that it is the exclusive owner of the petroleum resources as well as regulator for upstream activities throughout Malaysia, including Sarawak.

In a statement yesterday, Petronas said it was seeking a declaration on the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA) being the law applicable for the petroleum industry in Malaysia.

“Petronas believes that the determination by the Federal Court would help provide clarity on its rights and position under the PDA.

“Petronas remains committed to supporting Sarawak’s aspiration to participate in the oil and gas industry in the state, for as long as it is within the framework of the PDA,” it said.

Last year, the Sarawak government formed an oil and gas company, Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros), to take over regulatory control of petroleum resources in the state.

Earlier this year, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that Petros would kick-off exploration activities in Miri by next month.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said it would use all avenues available in the country’s legislation to defend its rights over petroleum resources in the state.

In a statement posted on her Facebook account, Hasidah confirmed that the state attorneygeneral chamber’s had been served with a notice yesterday from the Federal Court registry over the suit brought by Petronas.