The Malaysian Insider

By Neville Spykerman

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (picture) said today that Umno had the right to sack him if they wish to over his controversial stand to side with Kelantan and the PAS government in their dispute with the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government on oil royalty payments to the state.

“They have every right to decide anyway they want. If they ask me to leave, I will leave. If they ask me to stay, I will.”

The Gua Musang MP on Friday disclosed there was no such thing as ‘Wang Ehsan’ and states, including Kelantan, were entitled to oil royalties which has so far been denied by the Umno-led Federal Government.

When asked about the feathers he has ruffled due to his repeated clash with Umno policy he used the Malay proverb that ‘siapa yang makan cili dialah rasa pedas’ to suggest that only those leaders who are culpable would feel sensitive over the issue.

The founding chairman of Petronas added that he was merely explaining provisions of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) last Friday when he called a press conference to continue his campaign for payments to Kelantan.

“It’s not my stand. I have nothing to do with it”

He said that the original purpose of the PDA was to ensure the poorest states in Malaysia received benefits.

His advise to Petronas was for the company to comply with agreements signed with the states.

Razaleigh added that there was too much power in the hands of the Federal Government, which he said flexes its muscles in a manner which is draconian and authoritarian.

He said the Federal Government should improve ties with states, starting with oil royalties.

“It’s a question of credibility and public confidence”

He said as an Umno member his greatest fear was that the party would be booted out of power, if it fails to heed the demands of the public.

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