The Sarawak government has issued mining leases to its oil and gas (O&G) company, Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros), to carry out onshore mining of O&G, marking the beginning of efforts to exercise the state’s constitutional rights to regulate onshore oil mining.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, who made the announcement last night, said the leases were for Adong Kecil West in the Miri district and the Engkabang block in the Marudi district.

“The state government, through Petros, will have control of, and legal titles to...