THE Sabah government will set up a body to finetune matters relating to the 20% oil royalty claim forwarded to the federal government.

Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said the body would finetune discussions between the state and federal governments, particularly with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We are aware that the Pakatan Harapan manifesto contains matters relating to oil royalty for Sabah, but it is somewhat different from what we understand.

“We (Sabah) asked to be given 20% of the royalty,” he told reporters after officiating the 13th annual general meeting of the state level Education Service Pensioners Association in Semporna today.

He said the state government would ensure that the 20% oil royalty claim would become a reality.

Shafie said a meeting would be held with Dr Mahathir to discuss the 20% oil royalty for Sabah.

Recently, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said the federal government could not expedite the granting of 20% oil royalties to petroleum producing countries because it was stipulated under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 that the royalty was based on gross profit and not net profit. – Bernama, July 29, 2018.