By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 12: Sarawak has collected a cumulative State Sales Tax (SST) of RM15.8 billion between 2019 to 2023, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said Sarawak has the right to collect five per cent SST for petroleum and petroleum products since 2019.
“This is not easy because at that time, the then Prime Minister did not agree (to 5 per cent SST) so the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) has no choice but to bring the matter to Court and we won. Congratulations, sir (Abang Johari),” he said during Majlis Amanat Perdana for Sarawak Civil Service held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He was referring to the previous legal dispute between the Sarawak government and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) over the non-payment of the SST on petroleum products back in 2019.
Uggah who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak (MIPD) pointed out that the Premier will continue the fight to restore the lost rights of Sarawak under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“We have 12 matters including the return of Bintulu Port to the State. I believe other matters will also be resolved soon.
“Today, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian is quite busy with Federal Minister of Health (MoH) to discuss the issue of health autonomy,” Uggah citing health autonomy as one of the 12 matters. — DayakDaily
