CM says decision hinges on getting Petronas to increase oil, gas royalty from 5 pct to 20 pct
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem
MIRI: The state government will reduce water and electricity tariffs if it succeeds in getting Petronas to increase oil and gas royalty.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said he wanted to increase the state’s revenue, and that was why he wanted the oil and gas royalty to be increased from the current five per cent to 20 per cent.
“Where do the gas and oil come from if not from Sarawak?
“I am negotiating with Petronas, and (the royalty hike) could be in the form of royalty, contract, manpower, expertise or corporate social responsibility.
“If we make more money from Petronas through the oil and gas industry, I can reduce your electricity and water bills,” the chief minister told a gathering of Orang Ulus here on Sunday night.
The event, held at a hotel here was organised by the Federation of Orang Ulu Association Malaysia (Forum).
On rural development, the chief minister said his administration planned to give this matter strong emphasis.
‘It is high time we stop helping the rich and instead help the poor. It is high time we put emphasis on rural development.”
With about 5,000 villages scattered all over the state, which is as big as the whole of Peninsular Malaysia, Adenan admitted that infrastructure facilities, such as roads, in many areas were still poor.
“We shall improve our own backyard. We want to develop better than Peninsular Malaysia. That is why I am going with the rural development policy.
“We must reinforce what we have. We must begin now.”
On the proposed Baram dam, Adenan said he was aware a small group of people was opposing the project by using blockades and feeding the people of Baram with false information.
He appealed to Baram folk, particularly those living in the affected areas, not to be suspicious of the good intention of the government to develop their area.
“We are not here to divide your community and seize your land. Trust your own people. Don’t trust foreigners, who have no interest in Sarawak. They (foreigners) are here to cause trouble. They have their own agenda, which is not the same as ours.
“Why do you trust foreigners more than you trust your own people?”
Adenan said the response he received was that the majority of the people in Baram wanted the dam project, but the problem was they were keeping quiet.
“What are you afraid of? Speak up and say to them (detractors), `Yes, we want Baram dam.’”
Adenan stressed that total support from the Orang Ulu community was vital for the government to proceed with the social impact assessment study to, among others, work out compensation and resettlement issues.
He reminded the people of Baram that they could no longer live in isolation and that Baram was still very much underdeveloped in many aspects.
Also present at the gathering were his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, Baram MP Anyie Ngau, Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang, Forum president Gerawat Gala, and assemblymen Dennis Ngau (Telang Usan), Liwan Lagang (Belaga), Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau) and Ripin Lamat (Lambir).