Sarawak files petition in Malaysia's top court challenging three federal petroleum laws

The move follows an application in January filed by Petronas, the energy firm owned by Malaysia's federal government, seeking clarity about the legal and regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak. Advertisement Asia Sarawak files petition in Malaysia's top court challenging three federal petroleum laws The move follows an application in January filed by Petronas, the energy firm owned by Malaysia's federal government, seeking clarity about the legal and regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak. The Petronas logo displayed in the lobby of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur on Jul 21, 2025. (File Photo: CNA/Fadza Ishak) 24 Feb 2026 10:22AM Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST KUALA LUMPUR: The government of the Malaysian state of Sarawak said on Monday (Feb 23) that it has filed a petition to the country's highest court to challenge three federal laws governing petroleum, part of a broader effort to seek more control over its natural resources.In 2024, Sarawak set up its own firm, known as Petros, to procure, distribute, supply and sell all natural gas produced in the state, putting it in conflict with Petronas, the energy firm owned by the national government.Sarawak state authorities are seeking to determine the validity and applicability of the Petroleum Development Act of 1974, the Continental Shelf Act of 1966, and the Petroleum Mining Act of 1966, said Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, deputy minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department.The move comes in response to an application filed by Petronas in January, seeking clarity about the legal and regulatory framework governing its operations in Sarawak. The hearing is scheduled for March 16.Sharifah Hasidah said in a Monday statement that the state government will object to Petronas' application, noting that it does not fall within the Federal Court's jurisdiction under the constitution."The said federal Acts affect the boundaries of Sarawak, established before Malaysia Day, and Sarawak's rights to the petroleum resources found in offshore land within Sarawak's boundaries," she said. Related: IN FOCUS: Why is Malaysian oil giant Petronas under siege and its fate crucial for the country? Petronas, Petros to jointly develop Malaysia's oil and gas sectors as federal, Sarawak governments resolve dispute On Sep 16, 1963, the territory of Peninsular Malaysia unified with the islands of Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore, a date now commemorated as Malaysia Day, though Singapore later separated in 1965."Sarawak is justified, in safeguarding the legitimate interests and rights of Sarawak and its people, which are enshrined in the Federal Constitution."Settling these constitutional issues will provide clarity on the regulatory framework for the oil and gas industry in Sarawak and for investors in the upstream and downstream businesses of the industry, she added. Source: Reuters/ia Newsletter Morning Brief Subscribe to CNA’s Morning Brief An automated curation of our top stories to start your day. Sign up for our newsletters Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox Subscribe here Get the CNA app Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories Download here Get WhatsApp alerts Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app Join here Related Topics Malaysia Sarawak Petronas Advertisement Also worth reading Content is loading... Advertisement Expand to read the full story Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST