CM: Sarawak still require federal funds for development

suppadmin | July 23, 2018

Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak needs four times the current quantum of allocation from the federal government to be able to develop good infrastructure throughout the length and breadth of Sarawak, in the rural areas.

Speaking at the opening of the Sarawak Independence Day celebration at the Celebration Square, Jalan Stadium today, he said this is why the state wants it rights over the oil and gas as the current strong financial reserve is partly the accumulation of revenue from the oil and gas industry on our shores.

The money returned to the people can be used to develop our rural water supply, construct more bridges and build more roads instead of just relying on the Federal Government.

He pointed out the victory of the Oil and Gas Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958 which gives Sarawak the full regulatory power overall persons and companies, including Petronas, involved in the activities of oil and
gas, on shore and offshore, in Sarawak and have gone to the Federal Court against Petronas and the court has declined to give leave to Petronas to declare that OMO 1958 is not valid. This initial victory was the victory of the people of Sarawak.

OMO 1958 he added is also the main reason why Petros was formed to become the regulatory power over Sarawak’s oil and gas activities.

Abang Johari however assured that the State Government will always be very rational and business friendly in its dealing with Petronas as the national oil company.