KUCHING: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice-president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh has backed the state’s legal counsel Datuk Seri JC Fong’s recent statement, saying Sarawak’s 5 per cent royalty payments from Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) represent a real grievance, as the state has long received a disproportionately small share of its resource wealth.
Wong questioned whether it was fair that for 50 years, since 1975, Sarawak has only been given 5 per cent royalties from its oil and gas taken from its lands and seas.
“The wealth beneath our soils and under our waters, worth hundreds of billions of ringgit, was taken away. From this huge treasure, Sarawak was given only a tiny slice, while the bulk went elsewhere, helping development efforts nationwide.
“Meanwhile, our rural roads in Sarawak remain inadequate, many rural villages still lack clean water and proper electricity, and our young Sarawakians have had to leave home to look for jobs in Peninsular Malaysia and overseas.
“If the wealth of Sarawak had been fairly shared, imagine how much stronger our economy could be today. Imagine how much better schools, better hospitals, and better infrastructure could have been.
“We could perhaps be like our neighbour Brunei, where citizens enjoy free world-class health care, fully funded education including overseas studies, generous living allowances such as petrol subsidies, housing subsidies, and no income tax.”
Wong issued the statement in response to former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who had said JC Fong’s claim that Petronas took 95 per cent of the state’s oil and gas business over the past five decades was not accurate.
Wong said Rafizi seemed to argue that the RM30 billion to RM35 billion Petronas contributes annually to the federal government benefits the entire country.
“But we have to say this: ‘Charity begins at home.’ Sarawak is not asking for special treatment; we are simply asking for our rightful share. This is about justice, not charity.
“That is why Sarawak, under the capable and visionary leadership of our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, created Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), imposed the 5 per cent sales tax, and is demanding a greater controlling share over our oil and gas.”
He added that Sarawak has sacrificed and suffered enough for 50 years and cannot continue to be shortchanged while others enjoy the fruits of its resources.
“What has been given is grossly unfair; Sarawak deserves more. The path forward has to be greater authority for Sarawak through Petros, ensuring the state can keep a much larger share of its oil and gas wealth.
“And together, with unity and determination, we will rally behind the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government headed by Abang Johari and fight for our rightful share of the wealth generated from our lands so that our children and grandchildren can truly benefit from the resources God has blessed us with.”
