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Sabah, Sarawak to link up on oil and gas reserves

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The two chief ministers say the two states can combine their strengths as they have common interests.

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Free Malaysia Today
KOTA KINABALU: With strong reserves in natural gas and crude oil, Sabah and Sarawak are to strengthen their relationships in the oil and gas industry and capitalise on Indonesia setting up its new capital in Kalimantan, the chief ministers of the two states said today.

Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal and his visiting Sarawak counterpart Abang Johari Openg said they were eager to solidify their working relationship in the oil and gas industry, which is crucial to both economies.

Shafie said the two states share common interests and could transform their social economies if they combined their strengths.

Free Malaysia Today
Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal (second right) welcoming his Sarawakian counterpart, Abang Johari Openg in Kota Kinabalu today.

He said Sabah could look to learn from Sarawak, which was more advanced in downstream oil and gas industries. He said Sabah had the second biggest reserves of natural gas. “When you look at the bigger picture for the country, it is indeed very important to have stronger rapport to ensure we can realise this for the benefit, not only for the two states, but also the country,” he said.

Abang Johari said Sarawak holds 56% of Malaysia’s natural gas reserves, and over 34% in crude oil. I think Sabah has got more crude oil, so surely we discussed common interests in the industry,” he said.

Shafie said this was the way forward as the two states have been contributing significantly to national revenue. “But this is also not forgetting what is due to both states, so we are working closely. We have done before in the cement industry and many other areas too. So this oil and gas is something both can learn and benefit,” he said.

He said Sabah and Sarawak needed to work together to bridge the development gap with others in the country.

Abang Johari said he agreed with Shafie about the future potential of development of Borneo. “We know the resources in Borneo are abundant. We need to have a strong relationship between us, particularly the territories of Sabah and Sarawak. We definitely have got a platform for us to reach greater heights.”

The Sarawak chief minister was in Kota Kinabalu to pay a courtesy call on Shafie, reciprocating a visit by Shafie to Kuching last year.

Shafie said Sabah and Sarawak needed to work together to bridge the development gap with other states, while Abang Johari said Sarawak would continue to pursue what is owed to them by the federal government.

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