NOV 6 — I had the honour and responsibility, after PAS parliamentarians nodded to my request, to move a standing order to get the Prime Minister impeached and referred to the Committee of Privileges for what I consider a downright lie aimed at misleading the August House, when answering the question raised by YB Kubang Kerian.
Salahudin Ayub (Kerian Kerian) has asked the Prime Minister on “Question for Oral Answers” on Nov 4 to state when the oil royalty claims by the Kelantan state government would be paid by Petronas.
The acrimonious debate first mooted by Datuk Husam Musa as an Exco of the state government of Kelantan has been raging unabated ever since the Manik Urai by-election. The Kelantan oil royalty issue continues to take centre-stage among PAS law-makers especially those from Kelantan in the current debate on the PM’s maiden Budget.
PAS has always claimed that the Malaysia and Thailand joint development area (JDA) remains part of Kelantan. Kelantan is claiming oil royalty from the Thai-Malaysia joint venture in the JDA, Malaysia-Venture in the CAA and also the gas extraction from the P301. Production in the JDA started in 2004, while the CAA in 1997 and PM301 is expected to start production in 2011.
By virtue of the Petroleum Development Act 1974, signed between Petronas and the various state governments (including Kelantan back in 1975), Kelantan, like Sabah, Sarawah and Terengganu, is deserving of the oil royalty. The contentious issue hence is only in regard to determining the quantum of royalty.
The PM on that eventful day had decided to come and reply it himself. Most unfortunately he had decided to mislead the House. Firstly, he announced that Kelantan is not deserving of the oil royalty as the oil site is further than three nautical mile from the shore of Kelantan , a condition he alleged to a criteria for the award of the oil royalty.
Secondly, like the Wang Ehsan awarded to Terengganu, the Cabinet is gracious enough to be giving the same to the people of Kelantan but it will be channelled through the JPP (Jabatan Pembangunan Persekutuan), a body established by the BN government in all states under the opposition. This is totally in contradiction with the spirit and letter of federalism.
Thirdly, as he had placed the condition of three nautical miles, he therefore indirectly has made Sabah and Sarawak ineligible for the oil royalty as their oil wells are in fact further than that of Kelantan.
Referring to the Petroleum Development Act 1974, no reference and mention of the requirement of three nautical miles was made. The PM must have known or at least be made to know of this fact. Either he is selectively choosing to be oblivious or he is in fact contravening the provision of the Act, hence has no respect and little regard for the “sanctity of contract”.
That doesn’t bode well to the international and local business community. That damages further the already tarnished image of our (read BN) little regard for the law and contract of the country.
I have no other choice but to refer the PM to the Committee of Priviliges to be disciplined for deliberately misleading the august House. — drdzul.wordpress.com
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