By Ling Hui
KUCHING, April 10: Since 2019, the Sarawak government has received over RM5 billion additional revenue in State Sales Tax (SST) with the export of Sarawak’s petroleum products.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said for 2019, Sarawak has gotten about RM3.2 billion from Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and other oil and gas (O&G) companies, and an additional RM2 billion for 2020 and early 2021.
“In just two years, we have received more than RM5 billion of additional revenue for Sarawak in only two years.
“In 2020, the oil price dropped but if the price increases maybe until USD70 per barrel, there are more chances for us to get more income,” he said.
However much the revenue is, he said if a government does not have good governance, there will be no money left in the end.
He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led government is different as it has its own team of economic experts to manage the financial development of Sarawak.
“Some people are jealous of us in Sarawak because it is peaceful here, the governance is good and we implement all sorts of projects even into the interior places.
“Projects like bridges — all the bridges in Sarawak are in the billions — like the Batang Lupar Bridge, Batang Lassa Bridge, Batang Krian Bridge, Batang Saribas Bridge and so on.
“So if our management is good and our leaders are sincere, we will have a bright future,” he said during a ‘Janji Ditepati (Promises Fulfilled) working visit to Spaoh at Spaoh community hall here today.
Touching on promises, Abang Johari said he would never make empty promises, and if he did promise anything he would eventually implement it.
Saying that it was a Muslim belief that those who tell lies would get their tongues cut out, he said not fulfilling a promise was equal to lying.
“We Muslims believe in that, because if we don’t fulfill our promises, we are telling lies. So, I don’t want my tongue to be cut out.
“If I promise it, I will implement it because I have given my word,” he said. — DayakDaily
