By Noor Syahhira Hady
KUCHING: The additional revenue of RM3 billion annually from the State Sales Tax (SST) on oil and gas will help strengthen the state’s economy.
“This revenue will be used in developing especially the rural areas as most of the areas do not have much basic infrastructure,” said Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
Sharifah Hasidah who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) assistant secretary general said the payment of SST by Petronas and other oil producing companies manifested the state government’s success in defending its oil and gas rights under the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958.
“The Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has successfully fought for the state’s rights as it is important for the future generation of Sarawak,” she added.
She reiterated that Sarawak would maintain its autonomy on immigration as well as its rights over the state’s maritime boundaries and lands as stipulated in the Sarawak Land Code 1958.
“Sarawak’s right to implement the law in Malaysia such as the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO 58) and Land Code 1958 together with other laws and the right to the state’s oil and gas are non-negotiable,” she said.
