Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government will continue to strive to develop the oil and gas (O&G) industry in the State through collaboration with various stakeholders, including Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Accordingly, he said, the State Government will also continue to strengthen cooperation with Petronas in the management of O&G in Sabah.
“Hopefully the strategic cooperation between the State Government and Petronas related to the oil and gas industry will have a more comprehensive economic spill-over effect in the State.
“Therefore, I want the second Annual Strategic Dialogue of the Sabah Government and Petronas 2023 to open up more opportunities and spaces for collaboration and positive and constructive cooperation between the two parties in an effort to develop the State for the wellbeing of the people of Sabah,” he said.
He said this in his opening speech at the Annual Strategic Dialogue of the State Government and Petronas 2023 at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Monday.
His speech was delivered by State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Hajiji said since the signing of the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) on Dec 7, 2021, the collaboration between Sabah and Petronas has become closer in order to achieve its objective of increasing the State Government’s income from O&G production in Sabah, increasing participation and involvement in the industrial value chain of O&G, in addition to greater involvement in the development of O&G in the State.
He thanked the Federal Government and Petronas for the very good cooperation and close relationship, especially the positive acceptance of Sabah’s demands on the O&G industry.
He also shared several collaboration achievements since the signing of the CCA and after the first Annual Strategic Dialogue in 2021, including the “Samarang PSC Farm Out Agreement” successfully concluded and signed by SMJ Sdn Bhd and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd on April 4 this year.
“Another achievement is the completion of the Mara Science Junior College Building (MRSM) in Ranau which is the first MRSM by Petronas in Sabah, which will start recruiting students in March next year.
“In addition, the social impact programmes implemented by Petronas together with Government agencies and non-government bodies have also been able to improve the well-being and life of the local community,” he said.
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