Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : ISTANA TAMPAK SIRING,
BALI, INDONESIA
Tarikh/Date : 10/08/2002
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL INAUGURATION OF
INDONESIA'S GAS DELIVERY
TO MALAYSIA
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
It is a pleasure for me to be here in Bali today
with President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the official
inauguration of Indonesia's Gas Delivery to Malaysia
involving our respective national oil companies,
PETRONAS and PERTAMINA. What we are witnessing today
is another concrete form of collaboration between
Malaysia and Indonesia.
2. The theme of this auspicious event, Growing
Through Partnership, certainly describes the strategic
alliance between PETRONAS and PERTAMINA. This is one
example of a workable initiative for both countries in
the oil and gas industry which is currently undergoing
one of its most challenging periods in recent history.
Through efforts like this we will be able to harness
our individual strength to bring about more mutual
benefits to our respective countries. Even though we
have been enjoying good relations at all levels,
efforts must continue to be taken towards
strengthening our competitiveness through joint
initiatives. Malaysia firmly believes in the
philosophy of "prosper thy neighbour" as we are of the
opinion that what benefits our neighbours also
benefits us, directly or indirectly.
3. In the case of the PETRONAS-PERTAMINA
collaboration, it is certainly a win-win strategy for
both parties. Indonesia with a proven natural gas
reserves of 92.5 trillion cubic feet will benefit in
the form of revenue for its development while Malaysia
will be assured of an additional secure supply to
supplement its needs. The West Natuna gas will help
Malaysia to meet the anticipated increase in demand
not only for energy but also as feedstock to fuel our
industrialisation process. This collaboration has also
enabled both countries to maximise the usage of
existing individual domestic gas infrastructure by
building the necessary linkages to connect the
pipeline system.
4. Collaborations such as this will help in
enhancing the bilateral relationship between Malaysia
and Indonesia in our effort to create more meaningful
economic and social benefits to both nations which
have a lot in common in terms of history and culture.
Of greater significance, the success of this venture
will serve as a catalyst to encourage similar ventures
amongst other ASEAN member countries in the energy
sector.
5. The emerging Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline Project
which will link and expand ASEAN's existing gas
infrastructure to create a truly regional energy
market is a good example of collaboration amongst
ASEAN member countries. The foundation for the Trans-
ASEAN Gas Pipeline project was laid about a decade ago
with Malaysia's Peninsular Gas Utilisation project, or
PGU project, which connected Singapore to the grid.
The Trans-Thailand-Malaysia pipeline project which
will tap gas resources from the Malaysia-Thailand
Joint Development Area and linked to the PGU pipeline
is underway, bringing another ASEAN nation into the
loop. Further north, the completion of the Yadana and
Yetagun Gas projects, landing gas from the fields
offshore Myanmar to Thailand, provides another
significant fit to complete the Trans-ASEAN Gas
Pipeline puzzle. Interesting developments are also
taking place south of the region. The West Natuna
project began supplying gas to Singapore in early 2001
and is now connected to Malaysia. Recently it was
announced that the gas from Sumatra will be landed in
Singapore by 2003 and Malaysia thereafter while the
Malampaya-Comago Batangas Pipeline project in the
Philippines will also provide another interesting
prospect for the region's gas pipeline network.
6. These are all very exciting developments which
bring the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline project
significantly closer to reality. With determination,
commitment and cooperation of all involved, I am
confident that the missing links to realise the
integrated regional gas network will be put in place
within this decade. The renewed momentum in developing
the gas pipeline network in South East Asia will
certainly add another boost to the region's fast-
growing gas market. Additionally, deregulation and
liberalisation in the power and downstream sectors in
the previously closed countries will also pave the way
for greater investments as well as new investors.
7. Once all the linkages are in place to facilitate
the transportation of gas across the borders of member
countries, I am confident that we will be able to
fully realise ASEAN's vision of achieving energy
security and sustainability of supply by 2020. This in
turn will promote sustainable development in the
region and generate substantial spin-off business
opportunities in supporting industries, creating
employment opportunities, seeding successful homegrown
entrepreneurs while enhancing our competitiveness
globally. With economic growth and development, we can
be assured of stability in the region as a whole.
8. There are a lot of other opportunities in ASEAN
for us to take advantage of. For example, PETRONAS
and PERTAMINA together with PetroVietnam had signed a
contract earlier this year to explore and develop oil
and gas in Vietnam with plans to form ventures to
explore blocks in Malaysia and Indonesia. Apart from
that Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei have also agreed
to cooperate on production and shipping of liquefied
natural gas in order to maximise plant availability
and ensure continuous and secure supply to customers.
We need to look at more such cooperative initiatives
that will bring about mutual benefits to our countries
apart from strengthening our resilience as we face one
of the most challenging periods in the global oil and
gas industry.
9. Apart from the resources, this region has been
blessed with capable people who are willing to learn,
absorb and adapt to new technologies and ideas. We
also share a common aspiration to prove that the
people of developing nations have both the capability
and the will to successfully venture into projects
like this. The commitment and dedication shown by the
respective Project Team members has enabled PETRONAS
and PERTAMINA to complete this project in less than
two years in collaboration with CONOCO. All parties
have been able to combine their capability, resources
and technological expertise for mutual benefit. It is
a testimony to the capability of our people to be
involved at the highest level of technology.
10. On this note, I would like to thank Her
Excellency President Megawati Soekarnoputri and the
Government of Indonesia for the strong support and
assistance in making this collaboration a reality. To
PETRONAS and PERTAMINA I say Syabas and I hope this
success will spur both NOCs to explore more
opportunities together, within and beyond our
respective shores.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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