‘Push for 30 pct of Petronas’, Chong tells DUN in heated debate
Chong (right) and Violet Yong (DAP-Pending) during the press conference.
KUCHING (May 23): Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) has urged the Sarawak government to push for a 30 per cent equity stake in Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).
He made the call during a heated debate at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, pointing to Sarawak’s current political leverage over Putrajaya amid the fragmented political landscape in Peninsular Malaysia.
Chong also cited Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s openness to accommodating Sarawak’s demands.
“I’m not advocating for a head-on-collision between Petronas and Petros – it is a zero-sum game.
“Why not negotiate and push for 30 per cent equity participation,” he said.
Later, at a press conference, Chong acknowledged that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had made efforts to secure Sarawak’s oil and gas rights.
However, he added that the Premier “could’ve done better”.
Referring to the recently signed joint declaration between Sarawak and Putrajaya on the gas framework involving Petros and Petronas, Chong urged Abang Johari to go further and push for a 30 per cent equity stake in the national oil company.
“Once you have that in Petronas, no one can take it away; when they declare dividend, they have to declare you (Sarawak) as shareholder.
“I suggested 30 per cent because the main bulk of the gas produced comes from Sarawak – this is just a rough estimate,” he said.
During the debate, Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) questioned the feasibility of such a demand, noting that the previous Pakatan Harapan federal government failed to deliver on its promise of a 20 per cent oil and gas royalty for Sarawak.
“What makes you think that we’ll be able to get that 30 per cent equity participation,” he questioned.
Speaking to reporters later, Lo further challenged Chong’s optimism, saying previous promises had been “reduced to a fairy tale”.
“Chong argues that the 20 per cent royalty is a promise on condition that GPS takes over education and health.
“Isn’t this what GPS has been requesting for all these while? We are pursuing our autonomy back.
“What he should do is to go to Parliament and request for autonomy of Education and Health back to Sarawak,” Lo said.
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