A DEBATE has been raging online for some time over the oil royalties for the states of Kelantan with some claiming the state has been unfairly deprived while others say the state should not be given any royalties.So far, Putrajaya has repeatedly dismissed the demand made by the states, stating that oil is extracted outside Kelantan’s territorial waters.However, the federal government already pays “compassionate money” to the state and has paid RM400 mil based on a rate of 5% of petroleum revenue for 2020 and 2021.The Kelantan government and like-minded activists have been demanding the oil royalty for decades. Netizens however, questioned the fact that PAS and Perikatan Nasional (PN) did nothing about this after being in power for 33 months.Some netizens defended the actions taken by the PN government during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Twitter user @noneexist10 stated:
masa tu pandemik dan endemik. Berapa ramai yg mati? Semua org was counting their days. The depression was so bad. None of the country in the world made chnages in policy during those time. Any gathering or meeting was either being banned or limited to few number.
— none_exist (@noneexist10) February 25, 2023
The user claimed that the reign of PN was during the pandemic and endemic times.There were a number of deaths, and people were counting their days. It was a period of depression. The user claimed that no countries on earth made major changes in policies during that period. Meetings were severely limited or even banned.Moreover, there are netizens who are against giving the states royalties from the petroleum dug from their oceans.Twitter user @azharokey said:
Negeri dorang ni elok takyah dapat apa apa duit langsung, bukan tak kesian tapi bila dapat duit tu nanti orang parlimen negeri tu je naik gaji, naik merc, yang pengundi tu balik balik minum air teh sungai jugak
— itsmeazhar (@azharokey) February 26, 2023
In English, the netizen pointed out that these states do not deserve the royalties from natural resources. It’s not that there is no pity for the locals living there, but it’s the fact that the politicians will only use the money for their personal benefits.The netizen further accused the politicians of increasing their salaries and purchasing luxury vehicles if this rule is overturned. Furthermore, the voters will continue drinking unsanitary water.Netizens are now blaming PAS politicians for their perceived incompetence, with user @Solo_Bentan said:
Rakyat Kelantan & Terengganu wajar salahkan @takiyuddin61 masa jadi menteri undang2 gagal tunai tanggungjawab meminda akta berkaitan.
PRN wajar hukum @PASPusat kerana gagal membela nasib rakyat pantai timur.
— Laksamana Bentan 🏴 (@Solo_Bentan) February 25, 2023
When translated, the netizen stated that those living in Kelantan and Terengganu should blame Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for failing to secure his promises when he was a minister.The netizen went on to say that the electoral board (PRN) should investigate PAS due to their lack of due diligence towards those living on the East Coast. — Feb 26, 2023
