KUCHING, Dec 21: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s decision to disengage itself from the clutches of the federal government under Pakatan Harapan (PH) was a well-executed move.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing pointed out that the act of bullying by the federal government through Petronas will not stop by the Rule of Law.
“To those in Peninsular Malaysia, the philosophy of ‘might is right’ will go on till Sarawak’s oil runs dry.
“And no matter under whose administration, once they have tasted the benefits of ‘black gold’, they will not readily give it up,” he said in a statement today.
Thus, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that the sooner Sarawak realised this, the better it was for Sarawakians.
“The GPS’ move to disassociate itself from the Malayan political masters is a correct strategy.
“The ‘ball’ is now on our feet. We decide where to kick it. Fifty-six years of being bullied by Malaya is enough!,” he exclaimed.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak government and the Comptroller of the State Sales Tax have on Nov 21 filed a Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim at the High Court Registry.
The legal action was taken to recover the five per cent State Sales Tax on petroleum and petroleum product owed by the national oil and gas company to the state.
Petronas had on Dec 7 responded to the suit with filing an entry of appearance and a statement of defence to challenge the suit by the Sarawak government.
The High Court here has fixed Jan 13, 2020 for the hearing of the Sarawak government’s claim against Petronas for the non-payment of RM1.3 billion in State Sales Tax on petroleum products and other penalties.
In a statement yesterday (Dec 20), the Sarawak legal team said the application by the state government was to determine several questions of law of public and constitutional importance including the constitutionality of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974), interpretation of Article 95B(3) of the Federal Constitution read with Article 74(3), among others.— DayakDaily
