Fair deal on Sabah resources

PENAMPANG: The request by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) through its president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has merit as it is for the good of the people, Muhyiddin said when officiating at the 27th PBS annual congress here yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the proposal by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) to set up a mechanism or committee to find the best solution for issues related to Sabah’s natural resources such as oil and gas will be submitted to the federal government for consideration.

He added that he has no objection to referring the suggestion to Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak.

“The Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) can discuss the issue and decide before coming to the Prime Minister and me with their decision. We will sit down (to discuss) the matter (as) there is nothing for us to hide.

“As long as what is being requested is reasonable, I don’t see any problem because the (natural resources) belong to the rakyat. I will inform the Prime Minister about this,” he said, adding that the mechanism to look into the fair distribution of revenue from natural resources such as oil and gas is a good suggestion.

What is important is that whatever decision made must be sustainable not only for now but also for the long term, he stressed, adding that the resolutions and suggestions must take into consideration not only what we have now but also for the future.

“If there is a need for a review of the mechanism, I have no objection to bring the matter to the Prime Minister as the issue is very important as the Opposition have been promising to increase the oil royalty paid to oil producing states if they are given the mandate to form the Government,” he said.

On the issue of distribution of the oil and gas revenue, decisions to be made should take into consideration how much had been spent to develop Sabah, he said adding, “I can say offhand the amount is huge, maybe even more than the royalty contribution.

He also touched on Pairin’s request for additional seats in the coming election and assured PBS that it would be considered.

“I think it can be resolved quickly…no need to argue about the issue,” he said.

“I feel that this is a good proposal. We can sit down and talk, among the federal and state governments and other relevant parties.

“We should not ignore this (proposal) because it is the wish of the people of Sabah,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the decision arising out of the proposal should be sustainable and suitable for implementation now and for the long term.

He said an examination of the matter was important, particularly when the opposition was raising issues related to oil and gas in Sabah and making all kinds of promises which they might not be able to fulfill.