A Sabah-owned energy company said it is not involved in any oil and gas exploration activities within a protected marine park in the state.

In a statement, SMJ Energy stressed that it currently has no equity stake in the production sharing contract (PSC) and is not a party to the agreement to conduct oil and gas activities at Block SB-403 - an offshore oil exploration area in northern Sabah that covers about 10,256sq km.

“However, SMJ Energy has a ‘back-in right’ that allows it to decide whether to join as a partner in the future in the event of exploration success...