KUCHING, May 3: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) candidate for Bandar Kuching Kho Teck Wan took a swipe at her Democratic Action Party (DAP) opponent Chong Chieng Jen for not understanding the concept of oil and gas rights Sarawak could gain back once the state Barisan Nasional (BN) manages to fully pursue it if given the mandate.
She told a press conference that Pakatan Harapan (PH) could only promise 20 per cent oil and gas royalty if it becomes the government, but the state BN, according to SUPP party president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also SUPP candidate for Stampin, promised 100 per cent of the oil and gas royalties could be earned back by the state by certain means.
“After the establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) on March 6, Sarawak would be able to enjoy 100 per cent of its oil and gas rights.
“DAP has repeatedly insisted that the state government should reclaim back only 20 per cent of its oil and gas royalty. Why can’t we fight for our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and claim back 100 per cent of our oil and gas rights?
“Chong also said that after deducting all expenses, 20 per cent is already the most the state could earn back, and it cannot be increased. In other words, what he said was that Sarawak should be satisfied with only 20 per cent,” lamented Kho.
Chong yesterday in a press conference said Dr Sim was ignorant over the workings of the oil and gas industry in Malaysia, calling him full of ‘hot air’.
Chong argued that even their demand of 20 per cent loyalty was ignored by the federal government, what more to say Dr Sim’s 100 per cent.
“If you can’t even deliver what was unanimously resolved in DUN (State Legislative Assembly), i.e. 20 per cent of oil royalty, what is there to talk about with 100 per cent?”
Moreover, Chong, who is also the state PH chairman, said it is impossible to get 100 per cent based on how the oil and gas industry operates.
Meanwhile, Kho also took a swipe at PH’s petro cash dividend offer, saying that their calculations were only based on the high crude oil price, and that claiming each Sarawakian would be given RM1,200 was a calculation error as reported by an English daily, which was supposed to be RM200. (RM600 million divided by 3 million)
“According to the PH’s offer on April 30, 10 per cent of the oil and gas royalty is RM600 million, with an average of 3 million Sarawakians and RM1,200 per person. It should be RM200 per person if calculated correctly. Why is RM200 reported as RM1,200 repeatedly? How can such an ‘important’ offer be announced with errors openly?” said Kho. — DayakDaily
