By Natasha Jee & Alexandra Lorna
KUCHING: The State Sales Tax (SST) on petroleum products could bring in more revenue for Sarawak this year, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to him, this is due to the rise in the price of oil globally.
“After we imposed the SST on oil and gas goods, Sarawak already enjoys a bountiful harvest.
“We have successfully collected RM8.5 billion in SST from petroleum products in just three years. And given the rise in the price of gas and oil, we anticipate it may be higher this year.
“Just pray because I think we are going to have ‘another Gawai’ at the end of the year,” he said at the state-level Gawai Dayak 2022 celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here, yesterday.
He linked the collection of SST to the Gawai festival, which is a day of thankfulness commemorating a good harvest, when he spoke of holding ‘another Gawai’ celebration.
“Gawai is to mark your bountiful harvest after all the hard work and this concept is very much close to me — I want Sarawakians to harvest whatever we have for their own benefit,” he added.
Elaborating further, Abang Johari said if the state has a strong financial position, we will be able to carry out our development plan as outlined in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“That is why the PCDS 2030 places a strong emphasis on social inclusion — when we reap a bountiful harvest, we distribute it to everybody.
“This is the concept of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government — we share our success together,” he pointed out.
On another note, he claimed that Sarawak had succeeded in winning back some rights from the federal government.
“Next, we must have a very strong voice in Parliament in the upcoming general election.
“With that, I am certain that we can continue to negotiate any remaining issues under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” said Abang Johari.
