MIRI: The issuance of oil mining leases to Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) reflects the seriousness and commitment of the state government to regulate the industry to protect the interest of Sarawakians.
“It also showed that the state government is committed to fulfilling its promises to the people,” Assistant Minister for Women Family and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus told the New Sarawak Tribune on Sunday (Nov 1).
She believes the move would generate more opportunities for the people to find jobs and widen Sarawak’s revenue base.
“The success of getting income from the sales tax on oil and gas and awarding mining leases to Petros mean that the state government is fulfilling its promises to the people. It is not just an empty talk as claimed by the opposition,” she said.
Recently during a dinner at a hotel in Kuching, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg awarded oil mining leases to Petros for two blocks — Adong Kecil in Miri and Enkabang Area South of Marudi.
The move marked the beginning of Sarawak’s efforts in exercising its constitutional rights to regulate oil mining under its own law.