Anwar’s petroleum strategy offers S’wak certainty, says analyst
An analyst suggests that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s flexible approach to Sarawak’s petroleum aspirations provides the state with necessary long-term certainty. The strategy balances Sarawak's industrial growth needs with the commercial stability of the national oil company, Petronas.
Why it matters
The management of petroleum resources is a central issue in Malaysian federal-state relations and national economic policy.
Samirul Ariff Othman (left) says Zaid Ibrahim’s comments highlight a strategic reality: governments can change and Sarawak cannot assume Putrajaya’s position will remain constant.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s readiness to accommodate Sarawak’s legitimate petroleum aspirations gives the state ample grounds for backing his negotiated pathway, an analyst said.
Samirul Ariff Othman said Putrajaya’s willingness to expand Petroleum Sarawak Bhd’s (Petros) operational role provides Sarawak with greater certainty over domestic gas supplies, a crucial factor in driving its industrial growth.
Samirul, an adjunct professor at Universiti Teknologi Petronas, said the flexibility Anwar offers should pave the way for continued constructive engagement by all parties towards a fair and durable petroleum arrangement.
“The current administration has shown that it is prepared to find a workable middle ground between Sarawak’s aspirations and the need to preserve Petronas as a commercially strong, internationally competitive national oil company,” he told FMT.
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