Explain the Pexco deal, Najib told

Two Pakatan Rakyat MPs urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to come clean on claims that a private company received a lucrative oil concession in Sarawak

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat MPs urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to explain reports that a private company received a lucrative concession to work on an offshore oil block in Sarawak.

Speaking at the Parliament today, DAP MP Ariff Sabri alleged that the company, Pexco, received concession to work on a 25,000 square-kilometre block at the offshore oil block.

Ariff also claimed that Pexco is linked to Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd, which belongs Malaysian billionaire T Anandakrishnan.

“The question is why was the concession not given to Petronas, the company which is entrusted to guard our national oil wealth?” asked the Raub MP.

In an earlier report, Pexco chief executive officer Sean Guest posted an update on Linked-in, describing the oil and gas company as having “one of the largest acreage holders in Malaysia”.

He also said Pexco Sarawak signed four product sharing contracts (PSCs) in Malaysia covering 25,000 sq kilometres.

Ariff said that Najib should explain the matter to the public as it was a matter of public interest.

“Our Yang di-Pertuan Agong just called for the government to be accountable and tranparent on governance. This secretive deal definitely goes against the King’s wishes,” he said.

Echoing Ariff’s sentiments, PAS MP Raja Bahrin Raja Ahmad also called on Najib to explain why the lucrative oil block was given to a private company to be managed.

“This goes against public interest. Why so much secrecy on the oil deal?” asked the Kuala Terengganu MP.

On related matter, Ariff urged Najib to explain if he had formed the National Petroleum Advisory Council (NPAC) as required under the Petroleun Development Act 1974, to advise the premier on matters involving Petronas.

“Under Section 5 (1) of the Act, the council must also appoint representatives from the oil producing states.

“So do we have such a council in place to advise the prime minister? If yes, Najib must reveal details on who sits in the council, including representatives from oil producing states,” he said.