PETALING JAYA: A total of 300 Sarawak vendors secured contracts worth RM2.68 billion from Petronas in the first half of 2026, according to deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Awang Tengah disclosed the figures during his winding-up speech at the Sarawak legislative assembly today, according to Dayak Daily.
He said the cumulative value of contracts awarded by Petronas to Sarawak vendors since 2014 stood at RM51.5 billion, including for projects undertaken outside the state.
Awang Tengah said Sarawakian companies needed technical expertise, certification, financing and access to actual contracts to move into higher-value work.
The deputy premier, who also oversees the international trade, industry and investment portfolio, said Sarawak Energy Bhd, Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) and Petra Energy Bhd were also supporting local companies through vendor development and procurement initiatives.
He said Sarawak Energy's vendor development programme has supported 212 vendors since 2019, with 197 completing the programme as of last month.
Of these, 154 were Bumiputera vendors and 43 non-Bumiputera vendors, while 448 individuals had obtained technical competency certification.
Awang Tengah said Petros was also looking to expand opportunities for other Sarawakian companies through planned investments in offshore and onshore activities, gas and power.
Its Sarawak Gas Roadmap Ecosystem Blueprint outlines 15 programmes, including eight flagship initiatives covering industrial demand, infrastructure, technology, capability development and financing.
Meanwhile, Petra Energy had awarded contracts to 78 Sarawak vendors as of September, up from 62 in 2025.
“The company is also working with my ministry to develop a programme to strengthen local vendor capabilities,” he said.
Awang Tengah also said his ministry would consider appropriate commitments on technology transfer, skills development, and local supplier participation in strategic investments, where feasible and consistent with the law.
He said the ministry would also work with industry players, training institutions and financial partners to ensure training and certification programmes matched actual procurement needs.
"Our objective is to develop local vendors that can compete for complex projects in Sarawak and beyond," he said.
The figures come amid an unresolved legal dispute between Petronas and Sarawak over the regulatory framework governing petroleum activities linked to the state, with the Federal Court scheduled to hear the case in January next year.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously disclosed that Sarawak received RM96.2 billion in cumulative oil and gas-related financial benefits as of 2024.
Petronas also pays dividends to the federal government, contributing to national revenue.