Lo Khere Chiang
KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang has called on elected representatives of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak to stop “play acting” on the issue of oil royalty.
Lo said Sarawak wants from the federal government 20 per cent oil royalty of production from the existing five per cent.
“Just give back whatever you and your PH have agreed before the election,” said Lo when debating on the motion of Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah for the Sarawak government to form a state consultative committee to address issues surrounding the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Lo pointed out that Sarawak does not recognise the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the Territorial Sea Act as they have not been passed through Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“Sarawak acknowledges full ownership of our oil and gas and this rights to our land and resources is not negotiable,” he stressed.
Lo said Sarawak wants good roads, good schools, good hospitals, good medical care and affordable housing comparable to states in Peninsular Malaysia.
“It is our oil and gas after all. Don’t we deserve it? Do not just talk, Honourable MP for Stampin (Chong Chieng Jen). Give us back full autonomy on education and health and let Sarawak decide on her own education and health policies,” said Lo when referring to remarks made by Chong who is Kota Sentosa assemblyman in the DUN sitting.
“We are deeply concerned about the purported restoration of MA63 from Putrajaya and the payment of 20 per cent oil royalty and gas from Petronas based on production. Until the federal government returns Sarawak’s powers as contained in MA63, Sarawakians will continue to harp on it from the DUN to the coffee shops,” Lo said.
He said many are fed-up with the procrastination of pledges and promises from PH.
“Before the election, PH made copious promises on the return of our rights. The new government has been formed but they are still dragging their feet on returning the autonomy of powers back to us. It is no wonder that the people are feeling agitated over the reluctance and obstinacy of PH to recognise and fulfill MA63 in full.”
Sarawak really needs the money from the oil and gas extracted from Sarawak, he said.
“It is ironic that while Peninsular Malaysia enjoyed the best infrastructure, many rural areas here in Sarawak do not even have basic amenities like piped water, electricity or proper roads leading to their homes.
“With RM15 billion in oil and RM49 billion in gas siphoned from Sarawak annually, we are begging for pittances and crumbs of five per cent, are thrown at our feet annually. Five per cent is just over RM1 billion. Where is the logic in this?” Lo asked.
Lo who is Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) assistant publicity and information secretary, said: “We want full ownership over our oil and gas which is rightfully ours.”
“Why are we so far behind economically when it is our oil and gas that is being used to improve Peninsular Malaysia’s elevated lifestyle?” he asked.
On the motion moved by Abdul Karim, Lo said now is the right time to revisit MA63 and to access the breaches of MA63 by the federal government.
“We deserve to have a referendum to determine the actual views of all eligible Sarawakians on our position in Malaysia.”
This is to show the federal government how this ‘fixed deposit’ and ‘kingmaker’ really feels after so many years of neglect and breaches, as well as the unacceptable imposition, directly or indirectly, of the racial, religious and cultural influences which are detrimental to our ‘unity in diversity’, he said.
“We have to stay united as Sarawakians to achieve that goal. There is no better time than now to negotiate our rights back.”
Lo said: “Friends from KL (Kuala Lumpur) asked why we are now appearing to be more restless and even more opinionated on Sarawak issues. They also wondered why the feeling of ‘regionalism’ is coming back with such vigor and fervor.
“Their questions reflect two things: my KL friends and Malaysians in general do not realise that there is a MA63, an agreement between Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and the Federated Malay States. Without MA63, there is no Malaysia. And in this so-called ‘new Malaysia’, us Sarawakians are ‘waking up’ to taking a stand not only for ourselves but for future generations of Sarawakians,” said Lo.