THE Kelantan government is grateful to the federal government for agreeing to give it oil royalties, as stated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during a recent National Finance Council meeting.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob said in a statement today that he had called on Dr Mahathir at the premier’s office at Perdana Putra, Putrajaya.

“During our meeting, I expressed the state government’s desire for federal projects in Kelantan to be continued and completed.

“Hopefully, this courtesy call will be followed by a formal cooperation between state government executive committees and federal ministers for the good and wellbeing of the people in Kelantan,” he said.

He also congratulated Dr Mahathir on his appointment as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister after the 14th general election on May 9.

On June 7, Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar reportedly said the federal government had agreed to channel at least 5% of oil royalties directly to the oil-producing state.

He said the matter was agreed to at the National Finance Council Meeting 2018 chaired by the prime minister at the Finance Ministry.

He said Dr Mahathir announced oil royalties for states, including Terengganu, would go directly into its coffers.

Terengganu has not received any oil royalties since 2000, only compassionate funds.

Sabah and Sarawak received 5%. Kelantan has been receiving compassionate funds since 2010. – Bernama, June 25, 2018.