Sabah seeks greater value across entire oil and gas chain

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah aims to maximise economic value across the entire oil and gas supply chain rather than focusing solely on upstream exploration and production, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

In a speech delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick at the signing of land lease agreements between Sedco and Petronas for the SOGT and SSGP projects on Wednesday, Hajiji noted that key infrastructure must serve as a catalyst for broader industrial growth, particularly along the Kimanis-Sipitang corridor.

Acknowledging Petronas as a longstanding development partner, the Chief Minister stressed the need for local companies and vendors to move beyond basic support services into higher-value technical, technological, and managerial roles.

He also underscored the importance of developing local human capital to ensure Sabahans gain the technical and professional skills required to pursue careers across the sector.

Hajiji added that the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) must evolve from an asset manager into a proactive investment facilitator, ensuring systematic land asset management that safeguards the state's commercial interests while delivering tangible economic returns.