Let’s discuss oil royalty in public: PAS - Star

Jul 10, 209 By IAN McINTYRE

ianm@thestar.com.my

KUALA KRAI: Kelantan PAS wants to have a public forum with representatives from Petronas and Umno to discuss the state’s demand for over RM1bil in oil royalty.

It can be held before the Manek Urai state by-election on July 14, state PAS elections director Abdul Fatah Haron said.

“Since there is much confusion, a public forum is the best way to resolve the issue which has been dragging on for the past two decades,” he told the media.

Kelantan claims that the Federal Government owes the state RM1bil in petroleum royalty from the exploration of oil and gas in the state since 2004. States like Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak have all enjoyed such royalty except Kelantan, which is under PAS rule.

On the by-election, Abdul Fatah said PAS has entered its second phase of the Manek Urai campaigning, having covered 70% of the constituency since it began Monday.

The seat fell vacant following the death of PAS assemblyman Ismail Yaacob on May 24.

In the 2008 general election, Ismail, a five-term assemblyman, defeated Barisan candidate Zulkifli Omar with a 1,352 majority votes.

The by-election will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional’s Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat and PAS’ Mohd Fauzi Abdullah.