Dateline 2018-06-13, FMT:
It was reported on June 5 that Petronas had gone to court to seek a declaration that under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA), the national oil company had exclusive rights over oil and gas resources in Malaysia.
Petronas’ move is in response to Sarawak’s announcement on March 7 that it had assumed full control of oil and gas resources within its territorial boundaries.
The legal test initiated by Petronas is shaping up to become a battle royale between a corporate body and a founding state of Malaysia.
After the Cabinet meeting on June 6, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the federal government would leave it to the court to decide on the dispute between Sarawak and Petronas, clearly washing his hands over what could be a tenacious battle between federal and state rights.
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