THE formation of Petros, splitting Sarawak’s petroleum from the rest of the country, has been the subject of debate for months. For the most part, social media users are now also split between the federal government and the local Sarawakian government.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) confirmed receiving a legal notice from the Sarawak Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications but asserts its operations are lawful under the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
Additionally, the company emphasised its exclusive rights to regulate petroleum activities in Malaysia and remains committed to constructive engagement with federal and state authorities.
Netizens were quick to defend Petronas while news of the legal notice served to the oil giant circulated online.
An X user stated that Petronas was formed to protect our nation’s natural resources from the “big oil” companies. This would then help our nation earn more money. The user then asked, “What will be the benefit out of all of this mess?”
Petronas ditubuhkan untuk menjaga kedaulatan minyak negara daripada Big Oil. Yang akhirnya akan menguntungkan negara.
Buat begini dapat apa sebenarnya? https://t.co/gBkBNDsanP
— Ikhwan Hafiz (@IkhwanPK2022) May 2, 2025
Following that, social media users are saying that without Petronas, we would probably not even know that there are natural resources there. The user then made claims that another country may have found it instead. He added that without Petronas, the latter, Petros, would not exist.
depa ni kalau dibiar makin besar kepala
kalau petronas tak keluar belanja untuk exploration HC kat sarawak, sarawak takkan tahu depa ada minyak. maybe china awal2 dah rembat
bukannya petronas tak pernah sumbang semula pada sarawak
kalau petronas takde, petros pun takkan wujud
— … (@aariffin_1) May 3, 2025
Critics note that Sarawak lacks major development projects compared to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, where government-Petronas collaborations drive significant initiatives.
Despite Borneo’s substantial oil and gas contributions to Petronas, development remains concentrated in KL and Selangor, which contribute less to the company’s revenue.
“Can you point to a Sarawak equivalent of the KLCC?” one user asked, defending the Sarawak counterpart.
Extracting oil and gas from Borneo but only developing KL Selangor that don’t contribute to Petronas coffer. Do you see any KLCC equivalent in Borneo?
— Logic Lens (@LensLogic30) May 3, 2025
Another user made a bold speculation, claiming that if Sarawak were to leave the federal state, Indonesia and the Philippines allegedly would have their eyes on the state. — May 3, 2025
Secessionists igt “pengakhiran Malaysia bakal berlaku”.
Tk semestinya.
Pemimpin Sarawak dn Sabah tau, mereka akn lagi terdedah kepada kemungkinan Indonesia atau Filipina akn cuba conquer mereka, andai mereka nk kluar dari Malaysia.
— Reza 1998 (@Norreza19981) May 3, 2025
