SIBU: Sarawak will exert its rights on exploration of oil and gas (O&G) under the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“We have our authority in implementing O&G taxes. There is something else I want to do two weeks from now with regard to O&G matters,” he said, hinting at an upcoming announcement possibly during the Nov 9 to Nov 18 session of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“These are our efforts, and the returns go back to the people of Sarawak,” he said at a dinner with community leaders in Sibu Division held at Kingwood Hotel here last Wednesday.
He pointed out that the state government had provided various assistances and allocations to help the people. These included the one-off RM1,000 for newborns under Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS), RM3,000 death compassionate assistance (BIK) and RM450 Bantuan Ibu Bersalin (BIB) for mothers undergoing their confinement period.
“The assistance we provide is regardless of race and religion. We are fair to all, regardless of their background,” he said.
Abang Johari said the state government also allocated RM40 million for the purpose of native customary rights (NCR) land survey works.
He noted that there are certain quarters claiming that these efforts were a way for the government to seize the people’s land.
“We do not do that; instead, we grant land titles to the people according to the land laws. We survey the land in accordance with the law and the owners get the land title,” he explained.
