KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The Government of Malaysia is extremely concerned over the issue on the Petronas Complex in Khartoum, Sudan following news reports that the Sudan transitional government is seeking to confiscate assets belonging to Petronas, alleging they were acquired through illegal means during the rule of ousted leader Omar al-Bashir.
Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 13) that since the Petronas Complex issue surfaced in December 2020, the ministry has been working closely with Petronas, including through Malaysia’s embassy in Khartoum to resolve the matter.
"To date, the ministry has exerted multiple diplomatic efforts to address the issue, including summoning the Sudanese Charge d’ Affaires (for the second time) to Wisma Putra this morning to convey our concern. We will continue to closely monitor developments on the issue in safeguarding Malaysian interests in Sudan.
"The ministry urges the Sudanese government to honour the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Treaty in force between Malaysia and Sudan. Additionally, as the complex also houses the Malaysian Embassy, the Sudanese side is also urged to observe the sanctity of diplomatic premises, as provided for under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.
"Despite the commencement of arbitration proceedings initiated by Petronas, the ministry remains hopeful for timely and amicable resolution of the issue, with the view of preserving the longstanding brotherly relations between Malaysia and Sudan. The ministry also wishes to advise that all Malaysians residing and registered with our embassy are safe,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.