In a Bernama report, he said the issues were resolved through negotiations and during his recent meeting with Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg.

Anwar said there was no uncertainty regarding the fundamental policies surrounding the issue and emphasised that the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) applies nationwide, a principle acknowledged by both the Sarawak government and Petros.

“We recognise that Petros was established to enable Sarawak to undertake gas exploration and distribution initiatives within the state,” he told Malaysian reporters during a press conference at the end of his visit to the UAE.

Anwar clarified that the Sarawak Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 does not override the PDA 1974, the Federal Constitution, or other federal laws, and as such Petronas’s position remains unchanged.

On Dec 10, Abang Johari revealed that a solution had been reached over the dispute between Sarawak and Petronas over the oil and gas resources in and around the state, but said he could not disclose the formula.

He said the matter could now be considered resolved pending an official announcement.

Abang Johari also said the issue was merely a legal matter, with Petronas relying on the PDA 1974, and Sarawak on the Oil and Mining Ordinance 1958.

Over the past year, Sarawak had pressed hard for Petronas to ink a deal that would make Petros the sole gas aggregator in the state.