PAKATAN Harapan today promised to declare 10% of Sarawak’s petroleum royalties as petro cash dividends if it formed the federal government in the coming general election.

“This will give every Sarawakian a feeling of ownership of their natural resources,” Sarawak PH chairman Chong Chieng Jen said today.

“People can rightly say: I have a share in the (state’s petroleum) revenue.”

Chong said the policy would be implemented within a year after PH takes over office.

PH’s manifesto for Sabah and Sarawak promises, among others, to give the two Borneo territories 20% of petroleum royalties – 15% higher than the 5% they currently receive from the Barisan Nasional federal government.

Chong, a four-term Bandar Kuching MP who will be contesting the Stampin urban seat in this general election, said that while the mechanics of money distribution to the state’s three million people were still being worked out, one of the proposals was to give cash directly to targeted groups.

“You can say this is Sarawak’s BR1M. Just imagine how much each Sarawakian, including babies, will get if the 10% is, say, RM600 million.”

Other proposals could see half of the dividends going to the proposed sovereign wealth fund, similar to Norway’s petroleum policy.

Chong also said the PH federal government would not support the BN-led state government’s mega dam projects and would not approve federal findings for their construction.

Other guarantees made today include:

1. A federal allocation of RM1 billion for the reparation and upgrading of dilapidated rural schools, the provision of facilities, and increased staffing.

2. A stable price support system for commodity farmers, especially hard-hit rubber and pepper farmers.

3. Subsidised public bus services in all major towns.

4. Expedited identity card registration and birth certificate applications, and correction of of wrong names, addresses, and religions on MyKads.

5. All religions in Sarawak to have equitable access to development in line with Article 3 and 11 of the Federal Constitution.

6. Solar, micro-hydro, and biogas power options for rural communities still without access to electricity. – April 30, 2018.