MIRI: The recent statement by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the 20 per cent oil royalty to Sabah and Sarawak was “not workable” has stunned many politicians here.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government must stay truthful and deliver what had been promised during its 14th general election manifesto to their voters.
“I am shocked,” said Dennis when contacted by the New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
He added the promise was further fortified with the promise uttered in the Sarawak State Legislative (DUN) sitting before the general election by a local PH leader and duly captured in the sittings Hansard forever.
“The local PH leader stressed that even if Sarawak was still ruled by Gabungan Party Sarawak (not a PH component), the PH government will still give the 20 per cent oil royalty.
Dennis urged PH to honour its promises to Sarawakians.
“We need the fund to build infrastructure and amenities in Telang Usan and other rural constituencies in Sarawak.
“If this PH election promise and others in its election manifesto did not materialise, I just hope that Sarawakians will take time to think hard and deep about other promises they make, especially in view of the coming state election,” he said.
Piasau assemblyman cum Tourism, Art and Culture assistant minister Datuk Sebastian Ting described Tun M’s statement on the royalty issues as “a broken promise”.
“I believe all Sarawakians are very disappointed, except for those in PH holding the ministerial posts,” he said.
Ting recalled that the 20 per cent royalty was promised by PH during the 14th general election to fish voters and that was the reason why people voted for it back then.
“They have to be answerable to Sarawakians,” he said.
Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) central committee member and PAS Sarawak deputy commissioner, Mukhtar Suhaili, said that the statement reflected another lie from the PH government.
“With so many lies and empty promises made, the people of Sabah and Sarawak should reject the party (PH) in the next general election,” he said.
The broken promises by the PH government demonstrated that they could not be trusted.
Therefore, Mukhtar said, Sarawak government should be allowed to impose tax on its oil and gas products.
“This revenue can help to fund development projects in the state,” he added.
On the contrary, Pujut-DAP Assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon, believed that Tun M has his own reasons.
“The state should use an amicable approach or the ‘gentleman way’ to discuss or negotiate on the matter with the federal government and Petronas,” he opined.
He believed amicable negotiations between both the federal and state governments on the issues would lead to a compromise.
“The state government should not adopt a confrontational attitude against the federal government,” Dr Ting said.
