S’wak just wants to be involved with people’s wellbeing in mind: Abang Jo
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak is not obsessed with wanting to control its oil and gas resources.
He said what the state wants to do is to stop being a bystander but play a meaningful role in the industry with the ultimate aim of benefitting the people.
“It is for this reason that we established Petroleum Sarawak (Petros),” he said after witnessing the signing of a RM313 million contract between Serba Dinamik Holding Bhd and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd here today.
He said Petros will enable the state to further expand its participation in the industry by collaborating with Petronas in the exploration of the oil and gas resources in all new areas, both onshore and offshore.
He added that the state government, through Petros, is still negotiating with Petronas on the said matter.
On the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products, Abang Johari said: “We have collected the tax, some are quarterly…some third quarterly. It is flexible. I have to refer to the Accountant General Department.”
Abang Johari said so far there is no problem face in terms of the payment of the said tax to the state.
He said if the said tax should affect the investment cost he would go by his proposal to the federal government to lower the 38 per cent Petroleum Income Tax to 33 per cent.
On Pan Borneo Highway project, the chief minister hoped completion will not be delayed following the decision of the federal government to ditch the project delivery partner (PDP) model for the entire RM29-billion project in favour of the turnkey contractor model.
“The federal government wants to restructure and no longer wants to use the present arrangement through PDP. It is up to the federal government as the project is under them. Our concern is that there should be no delay as to completion.”
According to Works Deputy Minister Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir, Putrajaya will switch the present arrangement under PDP to the turnkey model and such decision should be known by the end of the month.
Asked on his “termites” speech in Marudi on Wednesday, the chief minister merely said:”I don’t know. I just mentioned termites cos normally termites makan dalam (eat from the inside).
Pressed further if he was referring to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PBS) he replied: “I don’t know. I didn’t refer to anybody.”
