KUCHING: Sarawak Reform Party (STAR) has suggested that Sarawak create its own ministry to handle affairs pertaining to the oil and gas industry in the state. STAR president Lina Soo said Sarawak is an oil producing country and one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world. “We believe that there is much more oil off the South China Sea which is within our territorial waters.
“So it is very important that we have an oil minister who is experienced and they have to be an expert on oil and gas matters, probably with a legal background,” she told a press conference at Telang Usan Hotel here yesterday.
‘This oil minister should be assisted by a group of experts such as lawyers and accountants. Oil law is very specialised, so this portfolio will help to develop our oil and gas industry.’
“This oil minister should be assisted by a group of experts such as lawyers and accountants. Oil law is very specialised, so this portfolio will help us develop our oil and gas industry.” Soo pointed out the portfolio of oil and gas minister is nothing new to oil producing countries. “Therefore, in order to develop our oil and gas industry, we must have our special Cabinet position to oversee this.
“This oil minister will be able to liaise with Petronas and we call upon Petronas to be transparent in our dealing with regards to Sarawak’s oil and gas. “We have a lot of people with experience overseas. Before 1974, they were already with Shell.
The talents are there, we have the talents. The legal experts in oil and gas we may not have, because oil and gas is so specialised. “So today, we urge the Sarawak government to create this ministry and be staffed based on meritocracy, people who are experts and people who have the knowledge,” she said. She went on to say that every second listisen economic loss to Sarawak, which further emphasises the need for an oil minister.
“I say that Sarawak owns the oil, while Petronas says it owns our oil. Therefore, we need to have our own minster who can look after oil and gas affairs in the state. “When we create this portfolio, we can employ the best legal experts in the oil and gas industry. They don’t have to be Sarawakian or Malaysian,” Soo said.
