‘When it comes to oil and gas, S’wak is the land owner and therefore, we have to enforce this’
KUCHING: It’s high time for Sarawak to enforce its constitutional rights and get back what have been eroded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 for the benefit of its people.
President of the State Reform Party (STAR) Lina Soo said although the state had been part of Malaysia for 56 years, basic development was still lacking due to the lack of funding from the Federal Government.
Soo said Sarawakians welcomed the State Government’s move to impose the petroleum sales tax as it would help to generate more revenues to develop Sarawak and improve the livelihood of the people.
“This sales tax will be collected by the Sarawak Treasury and it is Sarawak’s right to impose this five percent petroleum sales tax on crude oil, natural gas, LNG, chemical-based fertilisers and other gas products,” she added.
“When it comes to oil and gas, Sarawak is the land owner and therefore, we have to enforce this.”
Soo said this when met by reporters during a rally organised by concerned Sarawakians yesterday in support of the announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on the five percent petroleum sales tax announced in the State Legislative Assembly sitting recently.
Soo also pointed that Sarawak had “been too nice for more than 44 years” and the “no money” excuse from the Federal Government was not acceptable.
“Every year, we have to beg for the federal allocation while it takes our oil and gave us back a miserable five percent of it.
“Our schools are collapsing, we do not have clean water and electricity supply and all the projects here are only for the benefit of Malaya.
“So it’s time we take back our sovereignty and the people have to understand this matter and support the government policy that will benefit Sarawakians,” she said, adding the concerned Sarawakians were not supporting any political agenda but standing firmly behind the State Government’s decision on the petroleum sales tax for the people’s interest.
“This is our soil, our oil. Why should we live in misery when they reap the benefits which are rightfully for us?” she asked.
Former Mas Gading Member of Parliament Patrick Anek Uren also supported the State Government’s move to enforce the petroleum sales tax, saying that it was Sarawak’s right.
He said it was stated in the Federal Constitution that anything on the state land belonged to Sarawak
“Even under the Federal Constitution, we have the right to oil extracted from under our soil.
“So we are here today to express our support for the State Government on imposing the five percent petroleum salex tax on all petroleum products, and we support the move by the Chief Minister,” said Patrick.
