KUCHING, Feb 3: De facto Law Minister Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali chides those who have criticised the Sarawak government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for imposing the five per cent State Sales Tax on oil and petroleum products in Sarawak.
“In fact, to those who criticised him, I would like to ask them, are they as smart as they think they are? Don’t try to be smart. Talking is easy and accusing others of being stupid is easy. but is it right for us to say such things if we are wise? In fact, (even) if we are wise and well educated but with different views, it does not warrant us accusing others of being stupid. Why should we run down our own people?” Sharifah Hasidah told reporters at the Court Complex here today.
She asserted that Sarawak has the right to impose the five per cent State Sales Tax as it is based on its legal rights which in turn is based on the Oil and Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958.
“I think our chances are good based on our laws and we have the right to demand stakes in terms of law. I think we have a strong and solid case,” she said.
Sharifah Hasidah emphasised the Sarawak government will leave the matter to the court to decide.
“This is a court case. So, let the court decide on the basis of our lawyers’ arguments. If we have different views, then everyone has their own views, but we must respect that the case is before the court and we let the court hear all our arguments and make the decision,” she stressed.
The hearing of the judicial review filed by Petronas over Sarawak’s SST case will be held over the next three days (Feb 3-5).
“My hope is that the hearing will go smoothly and that we can put our argument into action,” Sharifah Hasidah said. — DayakDaily
