Terengganu govt to get oil royalty, says MB
PUTRAJAYA: The government has agreed to pay oil royalty straight to the Terengganu government’s coffers.
Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the state welcomed the move as the money could be used for the people.
“(Prime Minister) Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) has informed us that oil royalty will be paid to the state government.
“The quantum and details of it will be known only later.
“But, it is at least five per cent, which is the current rate,” he said after attending the first National Finance Council meeting chaired by Dr Mahathir.
In the past, Samsuri said Terengganu’s oil royalty was channelled to Federal Government agencies.
He said the oil royalty would be paid to the state, regardless of political differences.
On the smaller allocation for Pas-led Terengganu members of parliament compared with Pakatan Harapan MPs, Samsuri said he viewed it positively.
“I want to thank the government. Whether the amount is big or small, we respect the decision. We appreciate the government’s commitment to help the state government despite our political differences.”
On whether the state government would give allocations to assemblymen from the opposition, Samsuri said he would have to look into the state’s financial position first before making a decision.