Kuala lumpur: Petronas’ decision to import additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States is subject to its capabilities and the country’s needs, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today. “I don’t think that this is a problem because we only import what we need and it is based on commercial terms which will not be a burden on Petronas and the nation,” he said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister made these remarks in response to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar) regarding the impact of a precondition set by the US. This precondition requires Malaysia to import additional LNG worth US$3.4 billion annually, which is equivalent to 4.0 million metric tonnes per year. The Prime Minister emphasized that Malaysia will not import more than what is required.

He further explained that Malaysia remains an exporter of LNG and highlighted the importance of competitive pricing and project viability. If these conditions are met, it would be sensible for Malaysia to consider importing more, including from the US, if it is profitable. This approach accounts for Malaysia’s own needs and the continued demand for its products in countries like Japan, Korea, and China, with China’s demand being particularly high.