GEDONG: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has asserted that he is prepared to take legal action if the status of Sarawak as the sole gas aggregator is not respected.
"I know what I am doing. Being the gas aggregator is our right, and if anyone does not respect that, I am ready to go to court," he said at the state PBB Youth gathering.
He added that he would remain resolute in discussions on the matter.
Abang Johari, who is also the president of PBB, dismissed claims made on social media that Sarawak would gain RM100 billion per year as the sole gas aggregator.
"This is incitement," he said, stressing that such figures are unrealistic.
However, he did not deny that Sarawak stands to benefit from becoming the sole gas aggregator.
On Oct 31, Abang Johari said that Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) had 'informally' agreed in principle for Sarawak Petroleum Berhad (Petros) to be the sole aggregator of gas in the state. However, Petronas clarified a few hours later that discussions with Petros on implementing the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) were still ongoing.
Petronas said that these discussions aim to align the interests and objectives of all parties while respecting existing contractual arrangements and ensuring commitments to investors and customers are maintained.
The following day, Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, said that discussions were progressing between Petronas and Petros regarding the implementation of sole gas aggregator arrangements under the DGO.
He added that the state government was eager to conclude the discussions promptly.
"The Sarawak government reiterates that under the Ordinance, Petros has been appointed the sole gas aggregator. There are no other gas aggregators in the state," said Julaihi.
His comments came in response to Petronas' clarification regarding its ongoing discussions with Petros on the proposed implementation of the DGO.
On July 28, Abang Johari said that the state government had set an Oct 1 deadline for Petronas to resolve the gas distribution issue with Petros.
Previously, the state had decided that Petros would take over control of gas purchasing and selling in Sarawak from July 1. However, Petronas requested a delay, citing potential disruptions to gas distribution for LNG plants in Bintulu.
The state government agreed to a three-month extension, moving the deadline to Oct 1.
It is understood that Petronas subsequently requested an additional three-month extension.
On Sept 24, the state government, Petros, and Petronas issued a joint statement indicating that discussions on gas distribution in the state would soon conclude.
The statement confirmed that Petronas was not considering legal action against the state government and Petros and that all parties respected both federal and state laws regarding gas distribution.
The joint statement followed a high-level meeting attended by Abang Johari, Petronas president and group CEO, Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz, state secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Petros CEO Datuk Janin Girie.