THE state DAP fully supports the Sarawak government in its decision to take Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to court over its non-payment of petroleum sales tax.
Violet Yong (pic) (PH-Pending) revealed her party’s stand during a debate in the august House yesterday.
She was asked by State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar to declare her party’s support over the move during a brief confrontation in the House.
“I am expecting this moment to come, this is the right moment. I and my party DAP will fully
support Sarawak state government taking action against Petronas to pay the five percent sales tax for petroleum exports,” she said.
Violet in turn pressed Mohd Asfia for his position on the matter which the DUN Speaker confirmed that the state is definitely suing Petronas.
“I have seen member for Baleh (Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing), member for Bukit Saban (Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas) and the Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) speak
about it.
“I have even seen my boss (Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah) support it, but what about you,” she asked while referring to Abdul Karim as her superior from her time serving as an intern at the latter’s ministry.
Mohd Asfia responded by saying that his position on the matter has been made through his ruling and that he has expressed his legal view on Petronas various times before.
Violet reiterated her stand in a press conference just after the DUN session in which she said, “We fully support Sarawak’s decision to sue the national oil and gas company, but our concern is on the state purportedly moving the goal posts.
“Today is already the sixth of November, the deadline for Petronas to pay was on October 31,” she said while recalling statements from state leaders that the leeway extended by Sarawak to Petronas effectively ended last month.
She lamented the fact that her motion to sue Petronas was rejected by Mohd Asfia despite submitting her motion a day after the deadline.
“I am disappointed that my motion has not gone through, I am sure that all Sarawakians feel disappointed. I believe requesting Petronas to pay up (the 5 percent sales tax) is everyone’s wish,” she added.
