Proposed master plan able to boost O&G industry in Sarawak — Lingga rep

THE Sarawak government should come up with an integrated master plan for the oil and gas ( O& G) industry set for the next 20 or 30 years to strengthen the State Minerals Management Authority (SMMA).

According to Lingga assemblywoman Simoi Peri, the master plan would provide a clear and strategic direction of this industry in Sarawak.

“The plan needs to take into account the input from industry players and people specialised in the field.

“At the same time, local industry players need to establish strategic partnerships and collaborations with other industries in the pursuit of developing the entire industry,” she pointed out in her speech during the debate on the Oil Mining (Amendment) Bill 2018, which was tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at the DUN sitting yesterday.

Moreover, she said the industry needs to be expanded with the involvement of the local people and the contents to be more localised.

“This can give employment opportunities to locals who have the interests and abilities in the industry.

“For example, ( Sarawak can) produce more trained human capital to venture into the O& G industry such as exploration and production, and provide locals with the avenue for the real challenge in the industry,” she added.

Meanwhile, Repok assemblyman Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii said the enforcement of the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO58) by the government would become one of the main sources of income for Sarawak.

“It would enable Sarawak to implement and smoothen the development projects for the benefit of the people and the prosperity of Sarawak.

“I hope more Sarawak companies would be given opportunities for contracts and businesses, while more Sarawak children could be given jobs in the O& G field,” he said.

At the same time, Huang said Sarawak could collaborate with Petronas, within the Ordinance, for the benefit of Malaysia as a whole, and Sarawak in particular.

According to him, it is timely now for Sarawak government to take concrete actions in safeguarding and preserving the rights enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Constitution.

In stating this, he expressed his support for the Bill to be passed.