KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minster Tan Sri James Jemut Masing has described Sarawak’s move to embark on onshore oil and gas exploration as “a long time coming”.
He said the presentation of oil mining leases to Sarawak’s own oil and gas company, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), should have been done a long time ago, but nonetheless, he welcomed the move by the state government.
“We should have done that a long time ago. That (oil and gas resources) is ours, why should we ask someone else to do it,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here on Monday (Nov 2), referring to national oil and gas company, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg recently revealed that Petros would embark on onshore oil exploration throughout the state.
The state government, through Petros, would have the control and legal title to all the oil and natural gas produced onshore.
The state government issued mining leases to Petros to carry out mining of oil and gas in two fields, namely in Miri and Marudi.
The leases are for the Adong Kecil West field in Miri District and the Engkabang block in Marudi District.
The issuance of the leases was made possible through the state’s Oil Mining Ordinance 1958, which regulates oil mining in Sarawak and its continental shelf, as well as under the state list in the Federal Constitution.
