KUCHING, July 31: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Central Youth has described state Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) ‘new deal’ as yet another U-turn from their election manifesto to “spin” Sarawakians, again.
Its chief, Michael Tiang, said ironically the offer of 20 per cent oil profits on top of the current five per cent oil royalty was consistent with PH’s new stand that their manifesto is “not a Bible, but a guide”.
“(But) this is obviously another U-turn attempt by PH Sarawak,” he said in a statement today.
He questioned state PH chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s stand on the oil and gas royalty issue, and reminded him that prior to the 14th general election, he (Chong) had assured Sarawakians that if the PH government came to power, PH would give 20 per cent oil royalty and 50 per cent of the tax revenue collected to the state.
Tiang also wondered whether Chong, who is the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, had the authority to make the announcement on the sidelines of Parliament yesterday.
“Was Chong authorised by the (federal) cabinet to make such an announcement yesterday? What is his authority?” Tiang asked.
He added that Chong also never revealed how much 20 per cent of oil profits were in monetary terms.
“As we all know, by merely talking about percentages, Sarawak people can easily be misled by PH again” he argued.
Tiang reminded Chong that he should safeguard the state’s sovereignty over its oil and gas resources and to ensure the oil royalty is 20 per cent of production value and not 20 per cent of oil profits.
He also insisted that Chong move a motion in Parliament to amend the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and Territorial Sea Act 2012. — DayakDaily
