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KUCHING, Sept 15: As of April 2023, Sarawak has received RM13.3 billion from Petronas since the Sarawak Sales Tax (SST) was introduced in January 2019.
Acting Head of State Tan Sri Mohammad Asfia Awang Nasar said this has been one notable success of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, where the latter managed to fight to acquire five per cent SST on petroleum and petroleum products, based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the SST from Petronas has greatly helped Sarawak to fund its major infrastructure needs such as roads, bridges, treated water and electricity supplies, housing, telecommunication, healthcare, education with the aim to improve the welfare of the people.
“In this regard, credit must be given to Abang Johari and members of his Cabinet for their success in developing Sarawak to greater heights through the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which aims to ensure that Sarawak will achieve developed status by 2030.
He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Abang Johari, Sarawak will achieve vision 2030, through PCDS 2030 as all the necessary policies are already in place.
He was even more confident that under Abang Johari, Sarawak will be able to achieve greater heights by 2030 as Sarawak has become a high-income economy in accordance to the United Nations standard.
To him, this was indeed a milestone and a great achievement for Sarawak and what made it sweeter was that it happened in this year where Malaysia is celebrating its 60th Malaysia Day.
He recounted that Malaysia was formed on this day, 60 years ago, by four regions, namely Sarawak, Sabah, Malaya and Singapore, though Singapore left the federation in 1965.
“As for Sarawak, we always believe that the Federation of Malaysia is the best deal to achieve greater development through a bigger and united country which is multi-racial and multi-religious.
“I am glad that the Federal government leaders, since the time of the former Chief Minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, have a better understating and willingness to recognise the importance of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 that has ascertained Sarawak much more autonomy as a region.
“And with the current leadership under Abang Johari, much emphasis has been made for further negotiations with the Federal Government for the true spirit of MA63 to be realised, which we believe will be fulfilled slowly but surely,” said Mohd Asfia in his 60th Malaysia Day Message. — DayakDaily
