KUCHING, Dec 15: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen today challenged a statement allegedly made by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah that purchasing a stake in Petronas is an ‘insult to the people of Sarawak’.
Chong revealed that the Sarawak government had purchased stakes in three LNG companies and one Petronas LNG company which are all situated in Bintulu — five per cent share in Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd, 10 per cent share in Malaysia LNG Dua Sdn Bhd, 25 per cent share in Malaysia LNG Tiga Sdn Bhd and 10 per cent share in Petronas LNG 9 Sdn Bhd.
He reasoned that if Abdul Karim’s argument was correct and the ‘insult’ logic stands, then by purchasing the shares in the above LNG companies means the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has repeatedly ‘insulted’ the people of Sarawak.
“In all four companies, the Sarawak government has no controlling stake. So is Abdul Karim also accusing Abang Johari (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) and Adenan (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) as ‘insulting’ Sarawakians?” he questioned in a press statement.
Chong added that in case Abdul Karim is not aware, Abang Johari had in the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) Steering Committee (SC) agreed in principle to purchase a stake in Petronas.
“Before Abang Johari, Adenan has also advocated for the need for the Sarawak government to take up a stake in Petronas. But the then Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government refused to share the wealth,” Chong asserted. — DayakDaily
