Wednesday 4 June 2014

Karim: Sarawakians happy with PM's pledge on royalty request


KUCHING: Two state BN leaders yesterday welcomed Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s assurance that the federal government would consider Sarawak’s request for higher oil and gas royalty.

Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak, being a big state and a major contributor to the national coffer, deserved to be given more funds to build the needed infrastructure in many areas.

“We do not want to lag behind the other states be it in terms of roads, education, utilities, housing and others,” he said when contacted yesterday.

The motion for a hike in oil and gas royalty from the present five per cent to 20 per cent was unanimously passed in the State Legislative Assembly last month. It was a historic moment of sorts as both sides of the political divide supported the motion.

During his speech at the Malaysia Gawai Dayak Open House on Monday, the prime minister said the federal government would “give utmost consideration on this matter (request).”

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development, said the royalty agreement was signed in 1974, and as such it was time for a review.

“It cannot be static. On the other hand, the good federal-state government relationship and political stability need to be maintained for the state and nation to prosper.

“Barisan Nasional (BN) has been able to maintain this stability, and it should be preserved.”

Karim added that gambling on the inexperienced opposition to administer the state was “too big a gamble to take.”

“However, good check and constructive criticisms from the opposition is much welcomed.”

State BN Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Abdullah Saidol too said the positive feedback from Najib was much welcomed, and hope the request would be approved as the state needed more money to develop its rural areas.

“(But) I think the discussion on this matter will take time,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Abdullah, who is also chief political secretary to the chief minister and Semop assemblyman, stressed that the difficulties faced by the rural folks, who are mostly Bumiputeras, should not be taken lightly as they are the ‘fixed deposit’ of the BN.

“We just want to be treated fairly and equally with our partners who together formed the Federation of Malaysia. We only claim rights under the constitution. The people of Sarawak are mostly proud to be Malaysians.”
   

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