Abdullah to Chong – Stop beating around the bush

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Abdullah Saidol

KUCHING: Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Abdullah Saidol has called on Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen to stop beating around the bush regarding the latter’s stand on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad‘s announcement that oil royalty will be paid based on profits and not gross production.

He said a counter statement made by Chong in response to him (Abdullah) describing PH offer of autonomy devolution as being absurd was ‘outrightly frivilous’.

Abdullah also said Chong’s inabilty to answer a few of his questions showed signs of political panic, perhaps due to PH Sarawak’s anticipation that many of their election promises as stated in its manifesto may not be fulfilled or in worst case scenario, their delivery of promises may be worst or no better than that of what the people had experienced.

“Chong and another MP from PH Sarawak are members of the PH federal cabinet. We are looking forward to see their political will on whether all their slogans and advocacy about caring for Sarawak are genuine or just mere political rhetorics solely to attract voters and win the election.

“Stop giving ridiculous excuses because people of Sarawak are tired of all those unscrupulous political spinning and manipulation. We are waiting for a straight answers from Sarawak PH leaders who are basically part of the new federal government. Put the money where your mouth is,” said Abdullah.

Chong had earlier yesterday issued a statement saying it was the big ego of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), previously Barisan Nasional Sarawak, at work that led to the Sarawak government’s refusal to accept the PH Sarawak’s offer.

It was to counter a statement a day earlier made by Abdullah who had said the offer was absurd because Sarawak PH too has no clue of what they are offering as PH Sarawak appeared to have reneged on some of their election manifesto promises and several other pledges.

Abdullah said he believed MPs from GPS will jointly support any constitutional  amendment that eventually benefit Sarawak and its people directly or indirectly if tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Glaringly missing from Chong’s argument is his denial that he actually made promise to table a motion in Parliament to amend the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 which he proudly announced and was published on March 11, 2018.

“According to Chong, this small amendment to Section 2(1) of PDA will enable Sarawak to reclaim the ownership of oil and gas discovered in the state.

“Going straight to the point, if Chong considered that such amendment is easy and if there is any dignity in his words, then we are waiting for him to table that motion as promised.

“Sarawakians are waiting for Mr. Chairman of PH Sarawak to prove that he is truly and sincerely committed toward Sarawak’s initiatives to regain its rights and interest either as stipulated in the Constitution or Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” said Abdullah.