Dr Roland
KOTA KINABALU (July 13): The Sabah government’s progress in the oil and gas sector is grounded in facts and meaningful reforms, not political rhetoric, said Datuk Dr Roland Chia, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Responding to recent remarks by former Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC) CEO Abdul Kadir Abdullah Damsal, Dr Roland said the statement distorted reality and overlooked a prolonged period of stagnation under the latter’s leadership.
“The recent statement by former SOGDC CEO misrepresents the facts and conveniently glosses over a time of inertia during his own tenure,” said Dr Roland in a statement on Sunday.
“Let’s be clear: Sabah International Petroleum (SIP) was in financial distress before it was restructured by the current government. The GRS administration’s intervention wasn’t just symbolic — it was critical for safeguarding Sabah’s financial position and reclaiming control over key energy assets,” he said.
Dr Roland noted that SMJ Energy (SMJE) was established to address past structural failures, consolidate state energy interests, enter direct upstream participation, and deliver tangible benefits to the people.
“Under the present administration, the Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) has gained investor confidence, with Esteel Enterprise Sdn Bhd’s RM31 billion investment being a standout example,” he said.
He added that the results following the signing of the Commercial Collaboration Agreement (CCA) speak volumes.
“SMJE now holds equity in major oil and gas blocks. Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC) has secured onshore gas distribution rights — a historic milestone. In 2024 alone, RM2 billion in contracts were awarded to Sabah-based companies, many of which are now expanding operations beyond the state,” he said.
“These are not just numbers — they represent real jobs and real economic growth for Sabahans,” Dr Roland stressed.
Acknowledging Sabah’s longstanding contribution to Malaysia’s oil and gas industry, he said the current administration has brought genuine institutional empowerment to the state.
“SMJE and SEC are no longer passive entities. They are now key players, with Sabahans taking the lead — not by chance, but through strategic state action,” he said.
Addressing claims surrounding State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun’s remarks in the State Assembly, Dr Roland clarified that they were made in direct response to a question by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal regarding SMJE’s non-participation in an East Coast exploratory bid.
“To twist that context into a personal attack is not only misleading but a deliberate attempt to politicise a factual explanation,” he said.
He urged all parties to stay focused on the real, measurable progress made under the GRS government rather than engage in distortions that undermine public trust.
