KUCHING, July 21: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg wants the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government to clarify if oil-producing states like Sarawak will be getting 20 per cent oil royalty or 20 per cent of the profit made from its oil and gas resources.
“We want to get clarification first because profit and royalty are not the same,” he said, when approached by reporters after chairing Saberkas’ Supreme Council meeting at a hotel here today.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said after a Parliament sitting that oil-producing states would receive 20 per cent of oil royalties as stated in PH’s election manifesto.
But later, he said: “All (oil-producing) states will get 20 per cent of the profit from their area. If the area produces a small amount, they will get 20 per cent of the profit from that area. We will pay whatever is due to them, we will pay.”
Meanwhile, the federal cabinet has approved the setting up of a special committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In a statement yesterday, DAP Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii gave assurance that he would do follow-ups and monitor happenings in the committee to ensure Sarawak’s interest are protected. — DayakDaily
