SIBU: Issues on Sarawak’s rights, royalty and territorial jurisdiction are not matters that a federal deputy minister could deliberate on just by holding a press conference, opines Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He points out that these issues are of utmost importance to both Kuala Lumpur, and also Sarawak and Sabah.
He claims that Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen, who is Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman, does not have the authority to speak for and on behalf of the federal government, or Petronas.
Abdul Karim is referring to Chong’s announcement outside Parliament in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, which stated that while the oil and gas royalty would be retained at five per cent, Sarawak would receive an additional 20 per cent from oil profits.
According to Chong, the PH federal government had to alter its promise of 20 per cent oil and gas royalty to Sarawak, after the Sarawak government chose not to accept the condition set in its ‘New Deal Agreement’ prior to the 14th general election (GE14).
Chong added that the promises of 20 per cent oil and gas royalty to Sarawak and 50 per cent of tax revenue collected in Sarawak to be returned to Sarawak came with an underlying condition – that Sarawak government must use the funds on education and healthcare development.
On this, Abdul Karim said: “I am puzzled and amazed! Who is YB Chong to make an offer to a state government over such an important subject matter?
“Issues of state’s rights, royalty (and) territorial jurisdiction are of utmost importance to both Kuala Lumpur and the states of Sabah and Sarawak and should not be deliberated on just through a press conference by a deputy minister and state opposition leader.
“YB Chong is usurping the power of the PM (Prime Minister) and acting as if he had the power and authority to represent the federal government and Petronas.
“He does not have the locus standi or authority to speak for and on behalf of the federal government, or Petronas.”
Abdul Karim also believed that Chong had made a mockery of himself when he made his first proposal on a similar matter two weeks before the GE14.
“He must have been under the impression that being the DAP (Democratic Action Party) head in Sarawak, he has the authority and power to represent the PH government in whatever matter pertaining to state’s rights.
“Or YB Chong is pressured to ‘dangle carrots’ now as the 100-day promises in PH election manifesto are getting nearer by the day and he needs to do ‘a little spinning’ to divert attention of Sarawakians as the election promises and pledges seem impossible to be met.”
Abdul Karim stressed that the Sarawak government would not lower its dignity to discuss, respond or negotiate with a team of MPs from Sarawak, whose authority to represent the federal government is still vague. -TheBorneoPost
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