In a statement, economy minister Rafizi Ramli said the definition of the boundaries had been outlined in the Continental Shelf Act 1966, Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984 and Territorial Sea Act 2012.

Rafizi also said the ministry took note of issues raised by Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg pertaining to the difference in interpretation of state boundaries between the state government and Putrajaya.

Abang Johari had raised the issue at the National Energy Council on Aug 2, Rafizi said.

He added that Abang Johari had emphasised that any business in Sarawak, especially involving trade, “must respect any rulings and rights of Sarawak”.

“While the MA63 platform’s discussion on the different interpretation of boundaries between the federal government and the Sarawak government is ongoing, the economy ministry will keep abreast of its progress to ensure that the CCUS legislation reflects the understanding reached,” Rafizi said, referring to the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

It was reported last year that Abang Johari had said that Sarawak owns the rights to CCUS and its continental shelf following amendments to the Sarawak Land Code Rules 2022.

He told the state assembly that CCUS activity in Sarawak “is governed by our law”, according to the Dayak Daily.

In June, Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan said the CCUS bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year, was not necessary for the two East Malaysian states as they had separate land and forestry laws.