KUCHING, July 29: Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) will unveil a “new deal” for the Sarawak government tomorrow that will be “better” that what the state had ever received from Barisan Nasional (BN).
State PH chief Chong Chieng Jen said the announcement would be made in Parliament together with Works Minister Baru Bian and other state PH Members of Parliament.
The new deal was put together as the state government had rejected the old one involving the 20 per cent oil royalty. It was offered before the recent 14th general election.
“Suffice for me to say that the new deal that will be offered by the PH federal government in respect of this future oil sharing arrangement will be better than what the BN had offered to Sarawak for the past 45 years,” said Chong, who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, at a press conference today.
Chong reiterated that the promise of 20 per cent oil royalty that was offered to the then state BN was on the premise that the state government agree to take over education and health matters.
“It was not just an outright gift (of cash). We don’t believe in giving money to Sarawak BN or GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) for them to use the money any how,” Chong said.
“I don’t think Sarawakians want that as well. Basically, we don’t have confidence in the accountability and integrity of the Sarawak government.”
For instance, Chong said all PH ministers, deputy ministers and MPs needed to declare their assets, but leaders from GPS failed to do likewise.
Meanwhile, at the press conference, Chong introduced his new assistant Sim Kiat Leng. Sim is a 29-year-old practising lawyer, and he will assist Chong to take care of his Stampin constituency. — DayakDaily
