By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 22: Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi has proposed that Petronas’ Annual Financial Report be tabled and reported to Parliament.
He said it was crucial for the national oil giant to do so as it would allow transparency and for all Malaysians to know that most oil and gas resources found in the country are from Sarawak and Sabah.
“During Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) and MP for Langkawi’s era, mega projects were built only in Malaya but little, if any, in Sarawak and Sabah, but the funds were from our resources such as our oil and gas. Sarawakians and Sabahans should know this fact,” Nanta said when debating Budget 2019 in Parliament recently.
He opined that one of the reasons for Sarawak’s willingness to form the federation in 1963 was to bring development to the people of Sarawak, especially those living in the rural areas.
“The people in Sarawak, especially those in the rural areas, need treated water, 24-hour electricity supplies, roads and good telecommunications. And this is what the Sarawak government has planned to achieve in 2025,” said Nanta.
On another issue, Nanta, who is also the pro tem secretary-general of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), pointed out that Barisan Nasional (BN) was established in 1974, and in its 44 years of existence, Dr Mahathir was prime minister for 22 years.
“The prime minister was the supreme leader of BN and was the prime minister for 22 years — half the time when BN was ruling for the last 44 years. BN was established in 1974. So, the BN governed for only 44 years. That was the crucial time when Sarawak became neglected and not under former prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), who is the MP of Pekan,” he said when clarifying a question from MP for Lanang Alice Lau.
Meanwhile, Nanta, who was the former Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister, recorded his discontent that Budget 2019 was not beneficial and helpful to Sarawak, as it does not provide much for the rural folk. — DayakDaily
