Disputes between Petronas and Petros to be resolved, a final agreement will be reached soon, says PM Anwar

KUCHING, June 21 2026: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his confidence that disputes between Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Petrol Sarawak Berhad (Petros) will be resolved and that a final agreement will be reached in "the near future".

Caption: Premier Anwar Ibrahim says Petronas and Petros must work together as a team 

He said he has received reports that the progress of the discussions between the two oil companies is “very much positive”.

“We (the premier and I) have stressed that Petronas and Petros to concentrate towards working together and strengthening their cooperation, win-win situation and there is a huge opportunity and we want the issue to be resolved fairly, squarely and justly between the two partners as a team,” he said in his speech at the state-level Gawai Dayak celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) tonight.

“If we work together and cooperate to resolve related issues, in a friendly manner, a lot can be achieved,” the premier stressed.

“We can discuss matters related to Petronas and Petros. We maintain with our views that have been agreed and signed by me and the premier that we respect the respective the rules and laws.

“We demand that Petronas and Petros have to work together and uplift the dignity of Sarawak and Malaysia.

“It can be done, it has been done and has to be done through common resolve, the potential is huge and Malaysia is known to be a peaceful country in the world.

“There is clarity in economic policies and we need to ensure that we succeed,” the premier said.

“Rest assure that we are part of your team and you are part of our team. We work together and we deliver  together,” he said, adding that he is pleased with the close cooperation between the federal and Sarawak governments.

Bintulu Port now officially a state port following a vest payment of RM1.8 billion to the federal government

KUCHING, June 21 2026:  Sarawak today officially took over Bintulu Port from federal government after the Sarawak government handed over a vesting payment of RM1.8 billion to the federal government.

Caption; Premier Abang Johari Openg symbolically handing over a mock cheque to Prime Minister Ibrahim (centre) in a historic ceremony

The payment marked the completion of the transfer of ownership, assets and responsibilities from the federal government to the state government,

Premier Abang Johari Openg handed over a cheque for the amount to Prime Ministeri Anwar Ibrahim following the signing of the Tripartite Agreement and Completion Agreement between the federal government, the Sarawak government and Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd at Menara Kidurong, today.

The Tripartite Agreement details the release of responsibilities, protection from claims or liabilities and management of existing obligations following the change in status of Bintulu Port, while the Completion Agreement forms the basis for the finalisation and orderly transfer of rights, assets, responsibilities and obligations in accordance with Section 12 of the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024.

The RM1.8 billion payment agreed by the federal government and the Sarawak government is the value of the vesting or transfer of ownership of the Bintulu Port Authority's land, property and assets to the Sarawak Government.

In his speech at the handing over ceremony, the prime minister said the successful completion of the acquisition proves the commitment of the federal and  Sarawak government in implementing matters enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Today is a historic day because what we promised based on the Constitution and the spirit of MA63 can be fulfilled through understanding, trust and a strong working relationship between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government,” Anwar said.

He said the transition process was achieved through mature and constructive negotiations without any pressure, thus becoming a model of cooperation between the state and federal governments in resolving issues of national interest.

He also described Sarawak as a new economic power that is increasingly emerging in the region through the development of the energy sector, high technology, green economy and competitive resource-based industries.

Abang Johari, in his speech, said the acquisition of Bintulu Port had historical significance because the port was originally under state jurisdiction before its management was taken over by the federal government to enable the development of the port project using loans guaranteed by the federal government.

“At that time, Sarawak needed financing of about RM400 million from the Asian Development Bank and the loan guarantee could only be provided by the federal government, hence both parties agreed that this port would be developed and managed by the federal government,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, federal Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah were among those present at the handing over ceremony.

Sarawak looking at Austria's hydropower sector to strengthen its renewable energy agenda

VIENNA, June 21 2026:  Sarawak is looking at Austria’s hydropower sector to strengthen its renewable energy and sustainable development agenda, Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said,

Caption: Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan (centre) and members of the Sarawak delegation visiting Freudenau Hydropower Plant in Austria

Awang Tengah, who led a state delegation to Freudenau Hydropower Plant, was welcomed by head of Hydro Consulting of VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH,  Wilfried Reich, and representatives of the Freudenau Hydropower Plant.

He said the study tour was highly relevant to Sarawak’s development aspirations, particularly as the state continues to leverage its vast renewable energy resources in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

He noted that Sarawak’s recognition by the World Bank as a high-income economy marked an important milestone, but emphasised that future growth must be supported by reliable infrastructure, cleaner energy use and improved quality of life for all communities.

“This visit to Freudenau Hydropower Plant is highly relevant to Sarawak because it demonstrates how hydropower infrastructure can support clean energy generation while being planned together with river management, urban development, environmental protection and public awareness,” he said.

He explained that the Freudenau project provides an important benchmark for the preparation of the Limbang Lawas Local Plan 2035, particularly in integrating land use planning with energy planning, river basin management, infrastructure readiness and environmental safeguards.

He added that the experience gained from Freudenau highlights the role of renewable energy in supporting low-carbon development, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and strengthening climate resilience while protecting water resources, biodiversity and environmentally sensitive areas.

“The knowledge gained from Freudenau Hydropower Plant will strengthen our approach to renewable energy planning, low-carbon development, climate resilience and sustainable regional planning,” he said, adding that the visit supports Sarawak’s aspiration to become a regional clean energy powerhouse and the “Green Battery of ASEAN”.

Nation-wide price of diesel will be RM2.10 per litre starting next month, announces prime minister

BINTULU, June 21 2026: The uniform price of subsidised diesel for Malaysians will be RM2.10 per litre starting next month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced today.

Caption: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) being welcomed by Premier Abang Johari Openg upon his arrival in Bintulu

He said the price reduction will be implemented through a uniform targeting of diesel subsidies nationwide using a MyKad-based mechanism, in line with the approach implemented through the RON95.

“Through this reform, Malaysians will enjoy the same price and the same method nationwide,” he said in a statement here today.

He added diesel subsidies will be channeled directly to Malaysians through MyKad verification, while non-citizens and ineligible parties will have to purchase diesel at unsubsidized prices.

“In the context of the West Asian crisis that continues to put pressure on global oil supplies, this step is important to ensure that government subsidies only reach Malaysians and reduce the leakage and smuggling of subsidized diesel.

“The significant difference between the price of subsidised diesel and the price of non-subsidised diesel has created room for leakage and smuggling of subsidised diesel, including to overseas markets,” the prime minister said.

Currently, diesel is still sold at a subsidised retail price of RM2.15 per litre at all petrol stations in Sabah and Sarawak, compared to the unsubsidized retail price of RM4.37 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia.

With the diesel subsidy targeting reform, the retail price of diesel in Sabah and Sarawak will be aligned to the retail price in Peninsular Malaysia.

Non-citizens, however, will no longer enjoy the subsidy. At the same time, people in Sabah and Sarawak with diesel vehicles will enjoy a reduction in the retail price from RM2.15 per litre to RM2.10 per litre.

 Further information on the implementation of this diesel subsidy targeting reform will be announced by Second Minister of Finance Amir Hamzah Azizan tomorrow (22 June 2026).

Agriculture assistance and subsidies are not for people not actively involved in agriculture activities, Deputy State Secretary warns

KUCHING, June 21 2026: Agricultural assistance and subsidies provided by the government are not for  individuals who are not actively involved in agricultural activities as it will affect the effectiveness of government assistance programmes, Deputy State Secretary Felicia Tan Ya Hua has warned.

Caption: Deputy Sarawak Secretary Felicia Tan says the state government has received reports on the misused of agriculture assistance and subsidies

She said the state government has received reports of such happening, especially in the rural areas.

“I am not sure whether this is still happening or not, in fact, before the aid reached the longhouses, there are distributors waiting to collect the fertiliser that has been sold to them.

“This matter needs to be seriously investigated because if it is still happening, I think the relevant parties need to look into this matter more deeply,” she said when speaking at the Sarawak Agriculture Department (DoA) gotong royong perdana 2026 and Sarawak Civil Service Environmental Standard (SACSES) launching ceremony yesterday.

She reminded that the selection process also needs to be readjusted so that only eligible beneficiaries can receive subsidies and equipment assistance according to established criteria and carry out their activities accordingly.

Felicia said agriculture assistance and subsidies are for the recipients who are truly eligible to avoid leakages and ensure that the benefits are enjoyed by the target group.

She also wanted monitoring and enforcement must be strengthened to ensure that assistance such as subsidies for fertilisers and agricultural equipment is not misused.

In another development, Felicia also stressed the importance of effective management of government assets including quarters, vehicles and agricultural machinery owned by DoA.

She said that assets that are no longer economical or have become obsolete need to be expedited for disposal through the ‘Board of Survey’ (BoS) procedure to avoid wasting space and maintain the image of the organization.

“Any assets that can still be used must be ensured to be in good condition, while assets that are no longer suitable for use need to be managed appropriately.

"If eligible to be disposed of through BoS, ensure that the process is expedited and not delayed because from the perspective of the organization's image, obsolete and idle assets not only detract from the view but also take up unnecessary space.

"If you have met the conditions for disposal, carry out the disposal process according to the procedures set by the Sarawak Financial Secretary's Office (SFS)," she explained.

In addition, Felicia stressed the importance of field visits among government officials to enable the people's issues to be identified and addressed more quickly and effectively.

According to her, the instruction is in line with the emphasis often given by the Sarawak State Secretary Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki for heads of departments and government officials to always approach the community and personally monitor the implementation of programs in the field.

She stressed that such proactive actions are important to ensure that government service delivery continues to be effective, thus reducing complaints and increasing the people's confidence in government administration.

Also present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Dr Sirai Daha and DoA director Dominic Chunggat.