BN Government willing to negotiate oil royalties increase with Sarawak, says Najib

The Federal Government is willing to negotiate Sarawak’s request to increase oil royalties from 5% to 20%, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The State Assembly has approved a motion to seek an increase of oil royalties from 5% to 20%. Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan (Satem) has whispered in my ears about this,” said Najib at the National Level Gawai Dayak celebrations in Miri, Monday night.

“We are willing to listen and talk. Whether it will be such an increase in oil royalties or whether we can look at other forms of increasing the allocation direct into the state accounts, let us consider.”

Najib referred to Putrajaya and Sarawak’s excellent working relationship and stated that the Federal Government would have no problem negotiating the matter.

The Sarawak state assembly sitting in May approved a special motion to seek royalties from the state’s oil and gas revenue to be increased from 5% cent to 20%.

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to the state. On Monday morning, he visited the Orang Ulus in Long Silat, Ulu Baram before gracing the national level Gawai Dayak Open House grand celebrations at the Miri City Fan Recreational Park in the evening.