KUCHING: The Sarawak government will continue to exercise its rights to the fullest for the benefit of its people, Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said.
He said the imposition of the 5% sales tax on petroleum products was just one of the measures it had taken.
The state still had the right to impose the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958 as per Federal Constitution Schedule 9 and 10, he said at the Sarawak Dayak National Union dinner here last night.
One of the provisions in the OMO makes it an offence for any person to explore, prospect or mine petroleum or natural gas upon any land in Sarawak without any lawful authority. In effect it means, the Sarawak government must authorise any such activity.
Abang Johari stressed the importance of Sarawak being governed by Sarawakians to ensure the “the future of the state”.
However, he said he was satisfied with the discussion on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“I have a feeling that whatever grievances between the federal and state government can be settled,” he said.
He also believed that Sarawak would be able to position itself as one of the most developed states in Malaysia by 2030.
De facto law minister VK Liew was reported to have said earlier the Cabinet had agreed to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to restore the status of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia.
He said the amendments would be tabled in the new session of Parliament beginning on Monday. - FMT
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