KUCHING: The Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office has denied a posting on social media that cited Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg purportedly giving an ultimatum to Petronas.
“The office wishes to clarify that the Chief Minister has never issued such ultimatum to Petronas though the onus is on Petronas to comply with the state law like any other companies with prospecting and mining interest in Sarawak.
“He (the Chief Minister) has always stressed that Sarawak will work alongside Petronas through its newly-formed oil company, PETROS in the oil and gas industry in Sarawak within the ambit of the law and constitution. The fake news is very much regretted,” it said in a statement today.
According to the widely circulated posting titled “Ultimatum to Petronas, Get Licence or Get Out“, the Chief Minister purportedly issued an ultimatum to Petronas that it must obtain a prospecting licence under the Sarawak Mining Ordinance 1958, to operate in Sarawak.