PAS wants Pakatan to fulfil its manifesto promises on oil royalties

(The Star) – PAS aims to keep a close watch on the new Pakatan Harapan Federal Government to ensure that it fulfils its manifesto promises, especially on oil royalties owed to petroleum producing states.

PAS youth chief Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadim, in his congratulatory message to Pakatan Harapan, said PAS hopes that the new Federal Government will not repeat the same mistakes of the former Barisan Nasional Government led by Umno.

“We will keep an eye on each promise in the (Pakatan) manifesto especially when it comes to Federal and state relations.

“Most importantly is the oil royalty issue which is crucial to both Kelantan and Terengganu.

“This royalty was denied to Terengganu when PAS ruled after the 1999 elections,” he said after a special meeting with PAS central youth wing members in Rusila, Marang.

A year after PAS took over in Terengganu, the royalties were converted to “wang ehsan” (compassionate payments) which was channeled to the state via the Federal Development Department instead of going directly to the state government’s coffers.

He added that Pakatan Harapan must also honour the Federal Constitution, which includes Malay privileges and Islam as the country’s official religion.

It is stated in Pakatan Harapan’s “Buku Harapan” manifesto that oil-and-gas producing states will be given a “reasonable sum” for royalties.

It also states that Pakatan will raise the oil royalties to Sabah and Sarawak to 20% from the present from 5%. This should also apply to other oil-and-gas producing states.

PAS will also be monitoring its own progress in fulfilling its manifesto in Kelantan and Terengganu, two states where they won in GE14.

The soon-to-be formed task force will be made up of PAS party members as well as community leaders and NGOs.

“We will also have leaders from the non-Muslim communities,” he said.

Among offerings PAS put forward in its manifesto in the two states include 20-cubic metres of free water to poor and low-income groups; strengthening of Syariah law as well as boosting Islamic tourism.

Muhammad Khalil also expressed his concern over the “unhealthy” trend of party hopping post-GE14.

“This trend can be detrimental not only to the country’s administration but also the people’s welfare,” he said.