By KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg today issued an ultimatum to the federal government.
He was perplexed over Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that returning 20 percent of oil and gas royalty to the Borneo States is “not really workable”.
“Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) is an international company but it doesn’t mean that you can deprive us of our revenue,” he told journalists after officiating at the state-level Women Day 2019 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here today.
He revealed that Sarawak, in turn submitted a new formula to the federal government on revenue-sharing with Petronas.
“I have another formula. And I have submitted it to them (Putrajaya). This maintains Petronas as an international company and a way where Sarawak can take part.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the state did not ask for 20 percent oil royalty but instead it was promised by then opposition Pakatan Harapan prior to GE14.
Asked whether Putrajaya had given the thumbs-up to the formula, Abang Johari said, “I have submitted our proposal, our own formula.”
“It is a new model that won’t jeopardise Petronas’s position,” he added, “We are the one who produce raw material for Petronas in terms of gas and crude oil.
Abang Johari viewed that the balls are in Putrajaya’s court now, saying “Up to them (Putrajaya) now”.
“So I have my own formula which is commercial in nature.
“Maybe the federal government may lose some revenue. But of course Sarawak government also wants revenue. It must be fair,” he remarked.
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