KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is not looking to position itself as a country within another country, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In refuting claims that Sarawak aims to become a country within another country, Abang Johari said the state will remain within Malaysia and its goal is only to drive Malaysia's economy.
"Our anthem is very clear, Sarawak is within Malaysia and my view is that if Sarawak has the resources that can be strengthened, your (Malaysia) strength is there.
"Hence, add value to the resources so if Sarawak's economy is strong, Malaysia's economy will also be strong.
"We must also remember that the private sector is the key driver of our economy and if the private sector is strong, the taxes are not collected by the Sarawak government.
"This is why we need to understand this concept. If it (the economy) is private sector driven, the one that will benefit is the federal government and the taxes go to the federal government, what Sarawak gets is the creation of jobs," he said on an episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast.
Abang Johari was asked by hosts Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan if Sarawak plans to be a country within another country.
Touching on the state-owned oil and gas exploration firm Petroliam Sarawak Bhd (Petros), Abang Johari said the establishment of the firm was questioned by the federal government.
He, however, said there was nothing wrong with the establishment of Petros as it was in line with the Federal Constitution.
"At the time, the former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told me that he was asked by the Petronas top management about Petros' establishment.
"I told him, is it wrong for me to form a company under the Companies Act?
"He then told me it was 'okay' and we work together, as Petros is just a company owned by the state to serve the people in the oil and gas industry, including Petronas," he said, adding that Petros' establishment was not aimed at competing with Petronas.