By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Sept 16: The ceremony for Petronas to hand over the cheque for the outstanding State Sales Tax (SST) for 2019 to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is scheduled to be held tomorrow at 4 pm (September 17).
According to a ‘note to the editor’ (NTE) from the Chief Minister’s Office today, a press conference will be held following the cheque presentation ceremony which will be held at Wism Bapa Malaysia.
It is understood that the outstanding SST for 2019 is to be more than RM2 bil.
This confirmed DayakDaily’s report last week which quoted a reliable source that the presentation ceremony will take place tomorrow.
“This is indeed a historical milestone for Sarawak under Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who has relentless fight for the rights of Sarawak as enshrined under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” the source has told DayakDaily recently.
The payment was the outcome of an agreement achieved between Petronas and the Sarawak State Government through a joint statement issued on May 8, 2020, whereby the two parties reached an agreement on the management of Sarawak oil and gas assets, and the sales tax on petroleum products.
Both parties agreed that the best approach to reach an amicable solution is through commercial settlement to create a stable environment for business and investments.
As such, Petronas has retracted its appeal against the decision by the Kuching High Court in relation to a judicial review request dated March 13.
In return, the Sarawak State Government has dropped all claims in its civil case against Petronas for the payment of petroleum products sales tax. — DayakDaily
