SIBU: Sarawak has once again demanded that Putrajaya should give the state its fair share of allocation as it is entitled to it.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said any money from the federal government is also Sarawak’s money.
“Sarawak is not the same as it was before in the last 10 years as it is now keen in fighting for its rights. Sarawak keeps asking for allocation from the federal government as the state is entitled to it.
“Why do we need money? Healthcare needs money, universities need money. And we keep on saying that we asked Kuala Lumpur for money, why? Because this is Sarawak’s money. And how much is Sarawak’s money? I don’t know, but let me share with you. Do you know Petronas’ operational revenue last year? It’s USD88.3 billion.
“Do you know how much their profit was last year? If you work for Petronas for one year, you get paid two years, 11 months bonus. (Yet) they still made USD22.5 billion. How much is that? About RM90 billion,” he said in his speech at the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Sibu Branch 60th-anniversary dinner last night (Nov 19).
Although Sarawak is very proud of its revenue last year which was RM11.9 billion, it is too little compared to Petronas’ revenue, which is RM90 billion.
“So Sarawakians, do you understand what I mean or not? Any money from the federal government is Sarawak’s money — 60 years later (after Sarawak’s Independence). That’s why I said Sarawak is not the same as it was the last 10 years.
“This year the Malaysian government has no money. What did Petronas do? Give the Malaysian government RM50 billion, and how much of that 50 billion comes to Sarawak? ‘Tengok saja’.
“How did Petronas make RM90 billion? Petrol station? If we can make RM90 billion through petrol stations, we would all go and open petrol stations (but it’s not). It’s because of oil and gas exploration.
“Where did oil and gas come from? Last year, eight new oil fields were discovered in Sarawak waters. This year, six more oil fields were discovered in our waters.
“And our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said any discovery from last year onwards, and if Petronas wants to drill oil and gas, we should get 50 per cent. That’s a lot of money, not just 5 per cent royalty, but 50 per cent. If the discovery is onshore, 100 per cent should belong to Sarawak.
“That’s why I said if Sarawak today is the same as 10 years ago (no changes will happen), why would I want to share this? This (Sarawak’s condition) is after 60 years,” he said.
Dr Sim stressed that Sarawak’s prosperity is no longer in question.
“Now if anyone from Malaya says it’s federal money, you should say it’s Sarawak’s money. that’s why our hospitals are not of Malayan standard, that’s why our schools are not of Malayan standard,” he said.
