It is historical milestone for Borneo States to claim back our right over the oil and gas once Sarawak State Assembly passed a motion to make a formal request to the federal government to increase oil and gas royalties from the current five per cent to twenty per cent the day before.
Calling for the increase of oil royalty of all oil producing states to 20 percent has always been the political agenda by Pakatan Rakyat. It was highlighted in Buku Jingga and state manifesto prior 13th General Election. It is our great success to change our political rival mindset to advocate for the oil and gas right, even though Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) backbencher “hijacked” the motion initially tabled by our Sarawak counterpart Chong Chieng Jen (DAP – Kota Sentosa). Nonetheless, more importantly Sarawak Assembly passed the motion unanimously, has shown the maturity of our Borneon people representatives from both political divide.
Ironically, Sabah BN led state government didn’t show their maturity and courage as their Sarawak counterpart in handling the similar issue. Three emergency motions to discuss the Malaysia Agreement, Petroleum Agreement, Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well as security in the East Coast were rejected for reasons of technicality and late submission by Sabah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Said Keruak in last sitting.
The applications to move the motions were submitted by Bingkor Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Likas Assemblyman Junz Wong and myself.
Following the latest development of 20 percent oil royalty motion passed in Sarawak Assembly, Sabah Pakatan Rakyat would submit the motion again in next state assembly sitting in the form of private member bill. I urge Sabah Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Said Keruak to accept the motion application with open arms and allow it for debate in the coming sitting.
No more excuse can justify the rejection of the motion tabling. Sabah now receives RM0.8 billion a year from the five percent royalty. With another 15% increase in royalty, Sabah is expected to receive RM3.2 billion annually.
It is most welcomed that Sarawak would work closely with Sabah to pursue the increase in oil and gas royalty with the federal government. Sabah needs more revenue, not only in the form of federal grant, in order to carry out development agenda, poverty eradication and closing down the gap between urban and rural.
Finally, it is suggested that the royalty claimed back from federal should be spent wisely and transparently. Sabah Pakatan Rakyat has studied the subject deeply before and a revisit to our Sabah Pakatan Rakyat Alternative Budget and State Manifesto could enlighten our BN counterparts.