Batu Kitang rep says Sarawak wants “100%” of its rights back

Lo Khere Chiang

KUCHING, July 12: A government backbencher today said it was about time the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government honour the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) and return to Sarawak its oil and gas rights — all 100 per cent of it.

In debating the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s address at the State Legislative Assembly, Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) said it was also time for Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) to do what he preached, about returning what rightfully belongs to the state.

“PH has 113 members in Parliament. Together with the 56 from Sarawak and Sabah, we can amend the Petroleum Development Act 1974,” he said.

Lo told the august House that Sarawak did not want just 20 per cent of the oil royalty as it was equivalent to about RM3.2 billion only, based on the figure given by Chong on Tuesday.

“We want what is rightfully ours. We want to be fairly treated. We want 100 per cent of the oil revenue belonging to Sarawak. We want RM15 billion. The 20 per cent oil royalty or RM3.2 billion is chicken feed compared to the RM15billion siphoned out from Sarawak annually,” he pointed out.

Lo appealed to Sarawakians to unite and demand PH to return all Sarawak rights as enshrined in the MA63.

“After all, this is what was promised by PH to the people of Sarawak before the election,” said Lo.

He also wondered why peninsula-based parties were keen to set up base in Sarawak. He said after the Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), now Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) had also indicated its interest to join them in the state.

“What is it here in Sarawak that attracts them so much? What is the real motive behind all this? If it is about power, with 113 seats and 30 million people over in Malaya, they already have it. PH is in control of the government of the day and, thus, the nation’s purse is in their hands,” he said.

Lo opined that Sarawakians should be careful about whom it lets into the state. — DayakDaily