‘Petronas suit meant to get clearer picture on ownership of petroleum resources in Malaysia’
KUCHING: The filing of the application by Petronas before the Federal Court to seek declaration on the Petroleum Development Act ( PDA) 1974 should be regarded as the right decision to get a clearer picture on ownership of petroleum resources in the country.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) Sarawak chairman Baru Bian pointed out the filing of the application would allow the parties involved to know the right status of ownership of these resources, and to resolve any conflict.
He pointed out Sarawak already has its own ordinance, the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, which is still applicable.
“What we want to know is the legal standing as far as this matter is concerned. There is obviously conflict. Petronas, for example, wants to know whether it still has the exclusive rights,” he said in an interview on Astro Awani, which he made available to thesundaypost.
He believed that the ruling made by the court would give a clearer picture on the situation which would lead to a win- win situation for both sides.
Petronas had, on Monday, filed application before the Federal Court seeking for a declaration on PDA1974 – being the law applicable for the petroleum industry in Malaysia.
The oil and gas company is seeking to clarify that under the law, it is the exclusive owner of the petroleum resources as well as the regulator for the upstream industry throughout Malaysia, including in Sarawak.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when commenting on the matter at Putrajaya on Wednesday, said Petronas claimed that PDA gave the company certain powers, which now Sarawak government said it is also entitled to exercise such powers.