DAP sec-gen Lim says he is convinced that Sabah
can become the richest state in the country if the oil royalty is
increased from 5% to 20%.
KOTA
KINABALU: Pakatan Rakyat has promised to reinstate Sabah and Sarawak’s
original position as equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia, if it
comes to power.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng made the pledge during a visit to
the state to attend a Pakatan Rakyat organised Malaysia Day celebration
today in Tuaran, about 40 minutes drive from here.
Lim who is also the Penang Chief Minister said that to ensure that
Sabah and Sarawak benefit being equal partners in the Federation, the
new government would specifically focus on addressing the imbalance in
oil revenue, infrastructure development, water and electricity supply
and land reform as well as the issue of illegal immigrants in the state.
On the oil royalty that the state currently receives from the
government-owned oil firm Petronas for pumping out the commodity, he
said it would be raised from 5% to 20%.
He said this was imperative so that the two states could build up
their infrastructure, improve education facilities and combat the high
level of poverty.
Lim said he was convinced that Sabah could become the richest state
in the country if the oil royalty is increased from 5% to 20%.
“The disgraceful state of infrastructures in Sabah and Sarawak must
be improved and this includes the airports and ports in Sabah and
Sarawak.
“To be an equal partner in the Federation of Malaysia, you must have
consistent and regular supply of water and electricity and also internet
connectivity via free wifi in public places.
“As for the illegal immigrants issue, we shall ensure that with the
inquiry conducted by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal
immigrants, action will be taken against those who are responsible and
how to stop and resolve this problem,” he said.
Pakatan is also targeting a land policy.
“Land must be given to the people, not to political leaders. CM,
excos, MPs, state assemblymen, and even district councillors are not
qualified to apply for state lands. If they want to apply, then they
must resign and become ordinary citizens, then only they can apply. Only
ordinary people are qualified to apply,” he said.
Following the Penang way
A Pakatan government, he said, would also ensure that the original status of land would not be diminished on conversion, as happens now in Sabah and Sarawak where the land lease has been slashed from 999 years to 99 years. The opposition also promises land leases will be automatically renewed and premiums slashed by 90%.
A Pakatan government, he said, would also ensure that the original status of land would not be diminished on conversion, as happens now in Sabah and Sarawak where the land lease has been slashed from 999 years to 99 years. The opposition also promises land leases will be automatically renewed and premiums slashed by 90%.
“I dare to say all this (is possible) because they are being
implemented in Penang now, ever since the Pakatan government took over
the helm from Barisan Nasional,” he said.
Lim also said that by reinstating Sabah and Sarawak’s position as an
equal partners in the federation, all government positions in the state,
whether federal or state, would be held by locals.
“It doesn’t matter what race they are, as long as they are Sabahans.
Or else everything will be decided by somebody from (the) peninsula who
may not know or understand the unique culture and situation of Sabah.
“Sabahans are now at the crossroads. They can either choose to remain
the poorest state in Malaysia or to become the richest state in
Malaysia.
“I believe the people of Sabah can do better with a Pakatan Rakyat government,” he said.
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