KUCHING, July 25: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women’s chief Dato Sri Doris Brodie says Sarawak will no longer be exploited by Petronas to enrich Peninsular Malaysia while Sarawak remains backwards.
“It has been 44 years since Sarawak enriched Malaysia with her oil and gas (O&G) revenue. It’s about time she ‘pulls the plug’ and say enough is enough.
“We must look within now, and that is the well-being of our people as the state is one of the poorest in the country,” said Doris in a statement today.
She was referring to Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s statement today. Azmin said Pakatan Harapan (PH) could not give 20 per cent oil royalty based on gross value as that would lead to Petronas ceasing its operations.
“Our position is if you pay 20 per cent based on gross value, then we have to cease the operations of Petronas. We can’t afford to do this because this is the national oil company,” Azmin was reported as saying.
Doris said Azmin’s statement was akin to meaning that it was fine for Sarawak to remain poor.
“Why is it only now that Azmin of PH highlighted that if the proposed 20 per cent oil royalty payment is given to the producing states, it could not be implemented yet as it contravenes with the Petroleum Development Act 1974?”
She labelled the statement as “misleading” and wondered whether Azmin and PH had been lying to the people all this while.
“The minister is obviously only looking at one side of the coin, which is, of course, the wrong side. It is justice that we want here. Whether Petronas ceases to operate or goes bankrupt is not the issue,” said Doris.
She opined that Sarawak had been taken advantage of for the last 44 years, and it was time for the state to take back its rights.
“We have been bullied too long, and it does hurt to admit, but all along, the state has been taken for a ride by Malaya … that is at the expense of all Sarawakians.
“Negeri lain semakin kaya, negeri Sarawak semakin miskin, (other states are getting richer while Sarawak is getting poorer). So where is justice?”
Doris, who is also a political secretary to the Chief Minister, said Sarawak only wanted the federal government to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Oil Mining Ordinance 1958.
“Bottom line, I am certain the state and her leadership will not compromise on Sarawak’s rights with respect to the ownership of the O&G in the state.
“The state’s O&G resources have been exploited too long by Petronas, and it’s about time, the state manages its own resources for the benefit of the state and her people.” — DayakDaily
