The state government has begun exercising its power under the state laws relating to oil and gas activities in the state today, including through the Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016 which also came into force on this date.

“Regulations made under the ordinance on licensing have been approved by the state government and the process of implementing it will commence immediately,” according to the statement issued by the Sarawak Chief Minister Office today.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg had, on March 6 this year, announced that the state government would begin to exercise its power under the state laws relating to oil and gas activities in the state effective July 1.

The statement said as for the state laws, which are already in force like the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 and the Land Code 1958, the relevant state authorities would begin the process of ensuring compliance with these laws, including gathering the necessary information from all industry players as well as forging a more detailed and comprehensive engagement with them.

It further said that the state government accepted that this process would take time and hence, industry players would be permitted to conduct their business and operations as usual up to the end of 2019 while at the same time taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the state laws.

- Bernama