Petros gas role could undermine Petronas, warns Zaid Ibrahim

Zaid Ibrahim, who previously served as Malaysia's law minister, has cast doubt on the feasibility of allowing Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to cede its gas role to the Sarawak state petroleum company Petros. His criticism directly contradicts recent assurances provided by Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg regarding the proposed arrangement.

The former minister contended that Abang Jo's public statements on the matter do not accurately reflect operational realities. He expressed concern that transferring gas operations from Petronas to Petros could compromise the national oil company's capabilities and standing, particularly given the complexity and scale of Malaysia's gas sector infrastructure.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over resource management in Sarawak, where state authorities have sought greater control over hydrocarbon production and revenue. Petronas has historically maintained dominance over upstream oil and gas operations across Malaysian territories, including federal waters off Sarawak's coast.

Zaid's intervention adds weight to concerns from observers who question whether Petros possesses the technical expertise, financial capacity, and regulatory infrastructure necessary to assume responsibility for major gas operations currently managed by the national corporation. The issue remains contentious as stakeholders debate the optimal governance structure for Malaysia's energy resources.