Govt urged to create post of oil and gas minister

KUCHING: Sarawak Reform Party (STAR) is urging the Sarawak government to establish the post of Oil and Gas minister.

Considering that Sarawak is one of the largest oil and gas producers in the country alongside Sabah it is therefore crucial for the state to have its own minister who is an expert in matters concerning oil and gas, said its president Lina Soo.

“An oil and gas minister portfolio is not new for countries which are producing oil and this minister can communicate with Petronas.

“We do not know how much oil and gas have been mined from Sarawak and the federal government has been enjoying the royalty, tax and dividends as a result of our oil and gas.

“But what did Sarawak get as an oil and gas producer? That is why we have to have such a portfolio to ensure that we get what we are supposed to receive,” she told a press conference here yesterday.

Soo added that STAR appreciates the politicians from DAP Sarawak who often talk about transparency and accountability.

She pointed out that as it has been made known that Petronas only reports to the Prime Minister, the state therefore is unaware of how much oil and gas have been taken from Sarawak.

“Now that Pakatan Harapan (PH) is the federal government, we are calling on DAP politicians to urge the Prime Minister so that Petronas can reveal how much oil and gas they have mined from Sarawak.”

During the press conference, STAR also urged the state government to obtain autonomy in all matters except defence and foreign affairs.

“Sarawak should have autonomy in all matters and not only autonomy in terms of finance and immigration.

“Previously, individuals who are not Sarawakian have to present their passport to enter the state but now they only have to fill up a form or document.

“Sooner or later, Sarawak may become an independent region and we must be prepared to make it compulsory for non-Sarawakians to present their passport when entering the state.”