Gas handover a key MA63 right: CM
Published on: Tuesday, December 27, 2022
The Chief Minister said he raised the need to fulfil the MA63 during his first meeting with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the latter was appointed Prime Minister following the GE15.
CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor hailed the new Pakatan Harapan-led Unity Government’s decision to transfer regulatory power over gas supply to Sabah as a step forward in addressing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) grievances.He said this has always been the aspiration of Sabah and the people.
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“The State Government has been steadfast in our pursuit to take control of and manage the state’s oil and gas resources,” he said in a statement on Dec 21.
The Chief Minister said he raised the need to fulfil the MA63 during his first meeting with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the latter was appointed Prime Minister following the GE15.
Anwar announced the decision earlier saying the implementation date for the transfer would be made after getting the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Upon the Agong’s consent, the State Assembly would convene a special sitting to approve and gazette the Sabah State Bills for gas supply and the Sabah Energy Commission will take over all regulatory power for onshore gas supply (regasification, transmission, distribution, use of gas by private licensees and retail) in Sabah with immediate effect.
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Anwar said the matter was agreed upon as part of the Federal Government’s effort to honour the MA63.
“Several significant issues have been resolved today. For example, we have agreed to hand over the gas supply regulatory power from the Federal Government through Petronas to Sabah (Government).
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“This has been done for Sarawak and now is being done for Sabah...just waiting for the consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah, the Cabinet has agreed,” he said.
Effective June 1 last year, the Sarawak Government had full control of gas distribution activities in the state after the Federal Government granted an exemption to obtain permission under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and a license under the Supply Control Act 1962.
Anwar said though the handing over of the regulatory power, the sales and new deals concerning gas supply in Sabah would be decided by the State Government.
On the MA63, the Prime Minister said there was development on other issues and the details would be announced next month.
“As we all know, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof was given a month to settle unresolved matters (concerning the MA63), so InsyaAllah, early next month, we will announce the details that would resolve those matters,” he said.
He added that other issues in the MA63 that involved the laws and amendments to existing laws would have to wait until the next Parliament sitting.
Anwar also expressed gratitude to Fadillah for tabling the motion for a vote of confidence, which passed by voice vote in Parliament.
He said following the proof that he commands the majority of the Dewan Rakyat, his administration can now focus on generating economic growth.
“I want to also thank all the parties in the ‘unity government’ and in this case, there was no objection from the Opposition,” Anwar said.
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