Petroleum justice: BN's true face exposed

By See Chee How,

PKR Sarawak vice chairman

Today,  PKR Sarawak candidates and I made our way to Wisma Bapa Malaysia in order to let Najib Razak and cabinet ministers hear the growing clamour among Sarawakians who have, to this day, not received our fair share of wealth, prosperity, and justice.

PKR candidates (from left) Musa Ngog (Tarat), Voon Shiak Ni (Batu Kitang), See Chee How (Batu Lintang), Nurhanim Mokshen (Tupong) Salleh Shawkatali (Satok) and Francis Teron (Opar).

We took to him five demands, which include:

1. Realization of 20% oil royalty for Sarawak;

2. Annulment of Territorial Sea Act 2012;

3. Rescission of the 1974 tripartite Petroleum Agreement;

4. Full recognition of United Examination Certificate; and

5. The use of English as medium of instruction for primary and secondary schools.

PKR Sarawak is pleased to know that Prime Minister Najib was made aware of these demands by the people of Sarawak, particularly with regards to the issue of 'petroleum justice' of 20% oil royalty for Sarawak.

Even so, his statement that "negotiations are on hold" is not only a weak response, it shows that there is no political will in either Putrajaya or Petra Jaya to resolve this issue.

In fact, this statement reveals just how nervous PM Najib and Barisan Nasional is about this matter since Sarawakians will head to the polling booths in just a matter of days.

Of course PM Najib should be worried; should 'Team Adenan' not win by a large majority, then PM Najib too will be afflicted by 'Adenan fever'.

The fact that negotiations on oil royalty have been put on hold is also indicative of how BN is hypocritical in talking about autonomy.

Where is autonomy for Sarawak when we cannot demand better if not equal treatment when it comes to sharing the wealth generated by our own valuable natural resources?

'Team Adenan' cannot be absolved either. In fact, if he stays mum on this matter, Tan Sri Adenan is betraying Sarawakians by bowing to Putrajaya.

Lastly, PKR Sarawak calls upon PM Najib to make a clear pledge and commitment that he will restart negotiations as soon as a new Sarawak state government is formed.- May 4, 2016