SHAH ALAM, 9 June: The move by the Sarawak BN Assemblyman, who submitted a motion to ask the Federal Government to pay a royalty of 5% to 20%, is only a BN gimmick in the wake of the Sarawak state election.
The Vice-President of PAS, Datuk Husam Musa, said that he thinks the move made by the Sarawak BN is not really serious.
“They are just following the Prime Minister’s rhythm. If he promises a higher royalty percentage, they may keep silent after the election,” said Husam, quoted from Harakah Daily.
He was speaking at a forum titled ‘Borneo Move: Oil for all’ which was held at a hotel in the nation’s capital yesterday.
Elaborating, Husam, who is also the Chairman of the Kelantan petroleum royalty claims, said that Sarawak should not be thrilled by the ‘promise’ to demand for 20% of royalties.
Husam said that when Sarawak falls back into BN’s hands after the Sarawak state assembly elections, chances are that they will not demand for the increase in royalty payments again.
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, during a visit to Miri in conjunction with the Gawai celebration, said that the federal government is willing to discuss the demand.