Zaid urges Putrajaya to safeguard Petronas interests in Sarawak talks

Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has cautioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to safeguard Petronas' interests in Sarawak during ongoing talks, ahead of a Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting in Kota Kinabalu. Zaid, who recently joined PAS, expressed concern over political considerations influencing the government's handling of Sarawak's demands, particularly regarding Petronas' role as the state's sole gas aggregator.

He urged Putrajaya to prioritize transparent and national interest-driven decisions on oil and gas resources. Zaid questioned whether Petronas' position as Sarawak's exclusive gas aggregator would be further bolstered following the meeting, estimating its worth at RM10 billion annually. He also advocated for legal disputes between Sarawak and Petronas to be resolved through the courts.

Zaid stressed that discussions surrounding MA63 should be open, balancing Sarawak's constitutional rights with the federation's interests. He called for opposition parties and Umno leaders to declare their positions on the dispute, hinting at possible reluctance due to East Malaysian parties' influence on parliamentary majority.

The dispute between Sarawak and Petronas revolves around the state's oil and gas regulatory framework and Petronas' role in the gas sector, sparking discussions on the interplay between federal petroleum laws, Sarawak's legislation, and MA63's implications.