'Delayed royalty payment shows empty political promises'

Oil royalty issues were raised during the last general election. It was merely a political tactic to gain support from the people of Sabah.NSTP/MALAI ROSMAH TUAH

By Olivia Miwil - September 18, 2019 @ 2:15pm

KOTA KINABALU: Delaying oil royalty payments to Sabah and Sarawak is testimony Pakatan Harapan (PH) merely abused the issue for political gains, said Sabah Umno Information chief Datuk Raimie Unggi.

“Oil royalty issues were raised during the last general election. It was merely a political tactic to gain support from the people of Sabah.

“We do not see their political will in carrying out their promises. They should stop making promises to the people as they (government) have failed in fulfilling their pledges,” he said, referring to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s statement on the 20 per cent oil royalty.

Lim reportedly said the failure to keep their promise was due to “legacy” issues and the country was saddled with huge debts from the previous administration.

Raimie, who was the former Tenom Member of Parliament, said since Pakatan took over the government, many people, especially farmers and others in the B40 income group faced more difficult livelihoods.

“There are programmes started by the previous government which will benefit the people.

“It should be continued instead of being politicised. In the end, it is the people that should be taken good care of,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said Sabah Umno would conduct a one-day convention this Saturday at the state party headquarters here starting at 8am.

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to launch the convention with Sabah Umno Liaison Chief Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin.

Raimie added that at present the state Umno has about 530,000 members with 1,000 delegates from 25 divisions.

“We have also extended our invitation to former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, who is the only Umno assemblyman here, to attend the convention.”