KUCHING, Dec 8: Political pundit Datuk Peter Minos likens the recent signing of the Commercial Settlement Agreement between the Sarawak government and Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) as a New Year “angpow” (gift) from the latter to Sarawakians.
He expressed belief that Sarawakians will gain from the deal above and over what has been given and agreed upon between the Sarawak government and Petronas.
“At long last Petronas signed the commercial agreement with Sarawak and this is most welcomed, giving Sarawakians a wider and happier smile. It is something of a coming new yr “angkow” (sic) from Petronas to Bumi Kenyalang (the Land of the Hornbills).
“Even though I cannot find so far from the news of the specific benefits and gains to Sarawakians out of the commercial agreements (sic), I think and believe that at the end of the day, Sarawak and Sarawakians will get some financial gains from Petronas, on and above the existing gains and benefits,” Minos opined in a statement today.
He pointed out that since Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin took helm of the nation, Petronas has become more friendly and accommodating towards Sarawak.
“This is what Sarawakians have wanted and desired all along. Thus far, we got more than RM3 billion from the State Sales Tax (SST), thanks to Petronas not contesting it (the policy of collecting SST on petroleum and petroleum products) in court.
“With the Commercial Settlement Agreement, I am pretty sure Sarawak will benefit more from its own oil and gas, working together with giant Petronas, as strategic partners, devoid of the past hostility,” asserted Minos who is also the Walikota of the Samarahan District Council.
Believing that Sarawakians are happy with the latest deal, he opined the deal meant Putrajaya and Petronas indeed knew of Sarawakians’ hopes and aspirations, that being an oil and gas producer, Sarawak should also enjoy all the benefits brought about by its rich resources.
“No longer that others and outsiders enjoy it all while we in Sarawak becoming mere or token by-standers and silently watching others happily and hugely benefiting from our oil and gas wealth.
“Now Petronas and Putrajaya have the proper attitude towards Sarawak, not looking at us as being difficult and asking non-stop. We appreciate and value that attitude. Looks like happier days are coming to Sarawak with its coffer getting more from Petronas and from Sarawak’s own oil and gas wealth and resources,” Minos pointed out.
The Sarawak government signed a Commercial Settlement Agreement with Petronas yesterday in Kuala Lumpur where Sarawak’s interests in its oil and gas will be given the utmost consideration by Petronas in its decision-making process especially pertaining to the management of offshore petroleum operations.
The signing was witnessed by both Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Muhyiddin. — DayakDaily
