Premier: Sarawak tops nation in petroleum revenue with RM285 bln contribution

KUCHING (Oct 24): The federal government has officially recognised Sarawak’s substantial contribution to Malaysia’s petroleum revenue, revealing in Parliament that the state contributed RM285 billion, the highest in the country, accounting for about 30 per cent of the nation’s total petroleum output.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted this after officiating at the launch of the Sarawak Regatta–Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025 at the Kuching Waterfront here today.

He also emphasised the importance of continued cooperation between the federal and state governments for mutual benefit.

“We are the major producer in Malaysia. That’s why it’s better for us to work together for the benefit of both parties, for the government and the state government,” he said.

Datuk Seri Azlina Othman Said had said that Malaysia generated RM775.2 billion in petroleum revenue between 2018 and 2024.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), citing data from Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), said the amount comprised RM284.8 billion from Peninsular Malaysia, RM205.0 billion from Sabah, and RM285.4 billion from Sarawak.

Over the same period, petroleum investments across Malaysia amounted to RM256 billion, comprising RM86.5 billion from Peninsular Malaysia, RM56.3 billion from Sabah, and RM113.2 billion from Sarawak.

“The overall investment-to-upstream revenue ratio stood at 33 per cent, with Peninsular Malaysia accounting for 30 per cent, Sabah 27 per cent, and Sarawak 40 per cent,” she said in a written reply published on Parliament’s website yesterday.

She was responding to Mordi Bimol (PH-Mas Gading), who had asked for details on Petronas’ annual exploration and production costs for oil and gas operations in each producing state from 2018 to 2024, and the percentage of those costs relative to total revenue.

Abang Johari Tun Openg oil and gas industry petroleum revenue