Petros, Petronas may go to court if no settlement is reached over commercial agreement

KUCHING, Dec 16 2025: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof has said that Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) may have to go to court to settle their differences over the commercial agreement.

Fadillah Yusof: Petros and-Petronas may have to go to court if they fail to settle their dispute over commercial arrangement 

He noted that the exchange of correspondence between the two oil and gas companies has been carried out and is just waiting for a final decision.

He added the commercial agreement between Petros and Petronas should be determined early next year.

He said the exchange of correspondence between the two oil and gas companies has been carried out and is just waiting for a final decision.

"If no agreement is reached between the two, the end will have to be resolved through the court so we hope there is an agreement," he said when met by reporters after a forum session in conjunction with the Sarawak Budget Conference 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.

He added that discussions are still ongoing since the exchange of correspondence has been carried out between Petros and Petronas.

Earlier in the forum session, Fadillah  said that the commercial agreement was carried out after being agreed upon by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Premier Abang Johari Openg.

He explained that this is to avoid a long and complex resolution process if it is brought to legal interpretation and court proceedings.

"In the end, it may not be a win-win solution and could even be a loss-making situation for all parties.

"That is why we agreed for Petros and Petronas to sit at the table, examine all areas where they can work together.

"Ultimately, it will benefit not only the country but also the business community, so this is the win-win approach that we have agreed on," he said.

With him in the forum session, Minister of Finance II Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah

Peter John criticises PMX over his "deeply offensive" statement on DAP's call for recognition of UEC

KUCHING, Dec 16 2025: Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS) founder Peter John Jaban  has criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his “deeply offensive” statement over the DAP’s call for the federal government to give recognition to Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) from the Chinese Independent Schools.

Peter John Jaban: The prime minister’s assertion that he “does not care who makes the demand” is deeply concerning 

He said the rakyat expect engagement, explanation, and accountability not indifference, saying that Malaysia’s strength has always rested on consultation, compromise, and respect for all voices  within the federation.

Peter said it is dismissive for Anwar to say that “ I have made it clear. I do not care who makes the demand, which party it comes from or how much influence they have.”

He said the prime minister’s assertion that he “does not care who makes the demand” is deeply concerning.

“While influence and political affiliation should not dictate policy, neither should legitimate concerns be brushed aside,” the state’s civil rights activist, said.

Peter said Anwar’s statement is deeply offensive to the people of Sarawak and Sabah, saying it reflects a dismissive attitude towards the two Borneo regions, whose support was decisive in his appointment as the prime minister.

“Without the backing of Sabah and Sarawak, he would not be prime minister today,” Peter reminded.

He highlighted  an important difference between the education policies of Malayan states and the policies practised here in Sarawak, specifically regarding the recognition of UEC.

“Sarawak will always stands firm on recognising the UEC  not to oppose the federal government, but to protect our talent and strengthen our multicultural identity.

“Borneo leads with solutions, not politics.

“As we all know, Malaysia at the national level still does not recognise the UEC as equivalent to SPM or STPM for admission into public universities or for employment in the federal civil service.

“This has been the long-standing federal position, and all states in Malaya continue to follow this policy,” he noted.

“However, Sarawak has chosen a different path that reflects our own values, our multicultural identity, and our vision for the future.

“Since around 2014 to 2015, the Sarawak government has officially recognised the UEC for key purposes such as entry into the Sarawak civil service, eligibility for state scholarships, including those from Yayasan Sarawak, and admission into state-linked higher education institutions,” he said.

He said more recently, Sarawak has expanded this recognition even further by allowing UEC holders to qualify for free tertiary education under the new higher education scheme, beginning in 2026.

He said this is a clear indication of the state’s commitment to empowering the next generation.

“Why does Sarawak recognise the UEC?” he asked, pointing out that the Sarawak doesn't want to be branded as a brain drain country.

“First, it is to retain local talent. We want our bright young people to stay, study, and serve in Sarawak, instead of being forced to leave simply because their qualifications are not recognised.

“Second, it is to support multilingualism as many of our students attend Chinese independent schools,” he said, adding that recognising UEC is consistent with Sarawak’s long-standing multicultural and multilingual character something we are proud of,” Peter said.

He also said that recognising UEC is to broaden educational pathways as it is recognised globally by many international universities.

“By embracing it, we give our youth greater opportunities to pursue higher education and later return to contribute to our economy,” he added.

He also recalled that over time, the English-medium syllabus was abolished step by step, culminating in the conversion of all English schools into Sekolah Kebangsaan.

“Before the change to Sekolah Kebangsaan, most parents preferred to send their children to English-medium schools,” he said, adding that only a very few chose Sekolah Kebangsaan or other vernacular schools.

“Instead of addressing the weaknesses within the national school system, the authorities responded by eliminating English-medium schools altogether, effectively forcing students into a system that many already viewed as failing.

“We put the blame on first Prime MinisterTunku Abdul Rahman, second Prime Minister Tun Razak Hussein and Anwar Ibrahim himself.

“Anwar served as Malaysia’s Minister of Education from 1986 to 1991, during the administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“They abolished the English syllabus one by one, and finally converted all English schools to Sekolah Kebangsaan,” he recalled/

“Prior to that not many parents wanted to send their children to Sekolah Kebangsaan and other vernacular schools as they all wanted English schools,” Peter said.

Sinking road at Lorong Apt 2, Off Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, is posing a threat to public's safety, MPKS told

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Dec 16 2025: Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) and other relevant authorities have been told to take immediate action to rectify the sinking road at Lorong Apt 2, Off Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa as it is posing a threat  to public’s safety and causing damage property. 

Michael Kong: Waiting until an accident happens before taking action is both irresponsible and unacceptable.

“This is deeply concerning. Infrastructure failures of this nature should never be taken lightly,” Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s special assistant Michael Kong said in a statement after inspecting the sinking road.

He said roads do not sink overnight without cause, and once erosion sets in, the risk of sudden collapse increases significantly.

“Waiting until an accident happens before taking action is both irresponsible and unacceptable,” Kong strongly reminded MPKS.

He reminded MPKS that since 28^th of last month a resident has raised raised serious concerns with MPKS regarding the sinking of the road directly in front of his house.

He said despite the severity of the situation and the clear risks involved, no concrete action has been taken to date.

“As a result, the nearby homeowners have been left living in constant fear and anxiety,” Kong said.

He said over the past weeks, the soil erosion has continued to worsen, adding that what began as a worrying crack has now developed into a sinking of the road of more than one foot, posing a real danger not only to the residents but also to passing road users.

“Fearing for their safety, the residents eventually reached out to me for assistance,” Kong explained.

He urged the relevant authorities, particularly MPKS, to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves.

He said immediate site inspection, safety assessment, and temporary mitigation measures must be carried out without further delay, followed by permanent rectification works.

He added public safety must always take precedence over bureaucratic processes and excuses.

“Too often, we see authorities becoming reactive only after tragedy strikes. By then, the damage is already done and lives may have been lost.

“It is time for a shift in mindset. Authorities must be proactive, decisive, and responsive, especially when early warnings have already been given by residents,” he stressed.

 

Tender for the construction of Sarawak Cancer Centre to be called in first quarter of 2026, says Dr Sim

KUCHING, Dec 16 2025: Tender for the construction of the proposed Sarawak Cancer Centre (SCC) is expected to be called in the first quarter and the ground breaking in the third quarter of next year.

Caption: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim chairing the special monitoring committee on the national strategic meeting 

Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said SCC is scheduled for completion and operational before 2031.

He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had instructed the federal Public Works Department (PWD) to speed up the SCC project during a special monitoring committee on the national strategic project neeting yesterday.

“(I) strongly agree with PMX  as cancer patients in Sarawak need the state-of-the-art facilities so that our medical specialists in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) can do a lot more for our cancer patients in Sarawak,”Dr Sim wrote on his Facebook.

He said the cancer centre was one of the four projects that were brought up at the special monitoring committee meeting.

He said the Sarawak government will “loan” a sum of RM1 billion for the construction of the 310-bed cancer centre.

He added the federal government will reimburse the state government later for advancing the fund.

Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said Sarawakians are playing their role and doing their part for Sarawak nation building.

Dr Sim said the cancer centre will not only be the largest full-fledged dedicated cancer centre in Malaysia, but also it is one important components of the research, medical and educational hub in Samarahan.

He said the Sarawak Heart Centre, Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Hospital, Unimas, UITM Sarawak Campus, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre  and Samajaya Hi-Tech Park are sited in Samarahan.