KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday affirmed the state’s commitment to the development of its oil and gas industry.
He revealed that in November, a Sarawak-based company would be announced for offshore exploration work on the Sarawak continental shelf.
He added that collaborations with other oil and gas players such as Shell, Petronas and Murphy would be initiated to ensure the success of the exploration.
“We want to take part in the upstream oil and gas industry, and I believe via collaborations with the industry players such as Shell, Petronas and others, we can do offshore explorations on the Sarawak continental shelf,” he said during a townhall session in conjunction with the ‘Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2019’ held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.
“That is what we are planning to do and I will announce it next month,” he reiterated.
On the five per cent sales tax imposed by the Sarawak government on petroleum products, he said the state government would continue to fight for its rights.
Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Assistant Minister Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, when approached after the townhall session, revealed that the state had given Petronas a notice, asking for the payment.
She said Petronas had been given an extension until the end of October to pay up the sales tax.
“We would have to wait and see until the end of this month,” she said.
