KUALA LUMPUR: Perwaja Holdings Bhd has filed its defence and counterclaim for up to RM105.26 million from Petroliam Nasional Bhd as excess payment for gas supplied by the national oil company.

Perwaja said on June 16 that its lawyers had filed the defence and counterclaim for the refund of the excess payments of either RM105.26 million or RM99.83 million depending on the rate applicable.

“In the absence of a settlement in the meantime a trial of the suit is inevitable,” it said.

This was the latest development in the dispute between Perwaja and Petronas over the gas supplied by Petronas.

On May 12, Perwaja received a writ of summons and a statement of claim from Petronas for RM85.79 million together with a claim for interest.

Perwaja had then said the difference was in principle due to the Perwaja’s natural gas price computation based on the negotiations with the Malaysian government (including the international price and the relevant discount), and Petronas’ own price.