Why isn’t Petros operating yet?

MIRI: Petroleum Sarawak ( Petros) must start to explore and extract oil and gas in Sarawak waters without waiting for approval from the federal government as we have our rights under MA63 and Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO).

Former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) Supreme Council member, Yusop Abu Samah, said Sarawak’s oil and gas company ( Petros) must also set up a new oil and gas processing plant here (Miri).

“Enough is enough. There is no point waiting for the federal government to give the Ok because Sarawak has the rights to explore and set up its own processing plants here,” Yusop said of the slow response of the federal government to give back Sarawak’s rights.

He added that Petros could invite the big players such as Shell, Exon, Nippon Oil, Murphy Oil, and Esso to explore new areas in Sarawak land and waters under Profit Sharing Contract ( PSC) without referring to the federal government.

“The federal government is giving too many excuses,” he said.

According to Yusop, Sarawak has its rights under MA63 and OMO 1958, while PDA 1974 was done illegally without the consent of Sarawak’s State Legislative Assembly.

A PBB senior member, Abdul Razak Joni, meanwhile said Petros could start right now on joint ventures with giant oil and gas companies to explore oil and gas fields in Sarawak.

He supported Yusop’s view of not waiting any longer or else Sarawak would continue to be bullied by the ‘big brothers’ from Peninsular Malaysia. He said there are many experts in oil and gas industry here including trained workers who could assist Petros to kickstart the operation.

“There is no point of setting up a Sarawak- based company if Petros hasn’t started operation and exploration,” he said.