KUCHING, Feb. 2 -- Political suspicion has emerged following Petroliam Nasional Berhad's (Petronas) move to seek judicial clarification on the regulatory framework governing its petroleum operations in Sarawak, said Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol.

However, he stressed that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and the Sarawak government were allowing the matter to be decided by the courts, adding that assumptions made outside the legal process should be set aside.

He also said that the court action was initiated by Petronas and not by the Sarawak government.

"Sometimes suspicion arises because under the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, individuals who are responsi...