Not wrong for Petronas to give ‘extra’ to Sarawak — Minister

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Lee puts a finishing touch to the mural, painted by Meges (behind the minister). Looking on from right are Yii and Morris.

MIRI: Petronas should consider giving Sarawak ‘a bigger share’ if the national oil company gained profits from the hike in exported crude oil prices.

In stating this, Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said it would not be wrong for Petronas to give extra to Sarawak, where the oil drilling operation had been taking place.

“If there are more profits from the sales (of crude oil), being US$100 and above per barrel, you (Petronas) should give extra to Sarawak, the place where you took the oil from.

“If you (Petronas) are not making much, we wouldn’t demand because we understand what the economy is like. But if you’re getting bigger profits, you should consider giving us extra,” said the minister in his opening speech for the ‘Sentuhan Kasih Tahun Baru Cina 2020’ programme, conducted by Yayasan Petronas at Miri Hospital yesterday.

The event was also attended by Miri Resident Mastapha Julaihi, Mayor Adam Yii, Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong, Petronas Sarawak general manager Zulaihi Mantali, and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd-Sarawak Oil senior general manager Morris Mail.

On the ‘Sentuhan Kasih’ programme held, Lee expressed his gratitude to Petronas for the group’s contributions to the less fortunate members of society during festive seasons.

Specifically, he lauded Petronas on its RM2-million donation to the Palliative Care of Miri Hospital.

In this regard Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, expressed his hope for such generous gesture to also be extended to a palliative care centre, currently under construction in Permyjaya.

Meanwhile in his welcoming address, Morris said Petronas had been running its ‘Sentuhan Kasih’ programme since 2005, as its corporate social responsibility (CSR) via Yayasan Petronas.

At the event yesterday, 100 needy folk including children from all across Miri received contributions from Petronas in the form of angpows and hampers.

They were among 1,500 ‘Sentuhan Kasih’ aid recipients nationwide.

“Petronas, through Yayasan Petronas, is actively holding community-care programmes nationwide to fulfil its CSR, which mainly focuses on education, environment, well-being and community development,” said Morris.

Prior to programme kick-off, a blood donation drive was held.

In addition, volunteers from Petronas also painted murals at the Palliative Care Ward with the help from local artist Meges Laoi.

Speaking on behalf of Miri Hospital, Dr Wong thanked Petronas for always being a leader and a role model in CSR projects.

“We hope it would not be too much (for us) to request that your (Petronas) team would continue to remember us in the coming years,” he added.