PAS oil royalty claims a diversion, says minister

KOTA BAHARU, Jan 12 — PAS’ new oil royalty claim from production bordering Terengganu is aimed at deviating the people’s attention from its internal crisis, said Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.

He said the party was trying to get the people’s sympathy, claiming it succeeded the previous RM2 billion oil royalty claim from production bordering Thailand with the federal government changing it to compassionate aid.

“They are making a new claim to deviate the people’s attention from its internal crisis. The federal government is not going to entertain the new demand as there is no basis for the claim,” he said here last night.

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, was commenting on a new claim for RM9.7 billion from Kelantan from oil production bordering with Terengganu.

State Economic Planning, Finance and Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Husam Musa claimed that an oil production platform known as the Star Platform, which had been in operation since 1984 between Kelantan and Terengganu waters had reaped RM9.7 billion in oil royalty for the federal government.

On compassionate aid, Mustapa said the Federal government would discuss the matter with relevant parties before distributing it to the people in line with the “Champions of the People” campaign and February as the welfare month. — Bernama

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