KUALA LUMPUR: Kemaman member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has criticised the government for allegedly still not settling last year's outstanding petroleum royalty payment to Terengganu.
He wants the government to clarify the reasons behind the delay in royalty distribution.
Samsuri, who is Terengganu Menteri Besar said, said he was speaking on behalf of the 1.2 million citizens in Terengganu who are hoping for the 'wang ihsan' which the state had received for so long.
He said the royalty payments have been a norm for decades.
"For the record, it is necessary to remind everyone that the Terengganu government received funds for petroleum royalties directly from Petronas between 1978 and 1999, without the involvement of any third party.
"Surely the federal government does not wish (this issue) to be part of history books for future generations to read about a party which did not pay the royalty," he said during the debate on the motion of thanks to the royal address at Dewan Rakyat today.
Samsuri called upon Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Finance Ministry to elucidate any rationale behind the delay in payment.
"Doesn't this approach of exerting pressure on Terengganu contradicts with the principles of 'ihsan' (kindness) and 'hormat' (respect), which are among the six pillars of Malaysia Madani?" Samsuri questioned.
He said it was timely for politicians to move past discriminatory political disputes.
He said reform must take place at state- and federal-level if Malaysia wanted to be a nation of integrity.
"Discrimination, such as this, represents an old culture of political vendetta that will drags our country down. It will disrupt prosperity and our citizens will be victimised."
He said seeking revenge will also not benefit anyone.
"We must remember that Malaysia was formed with different states and each of them has its own role in building Malaysia, and these states should not be seen as 'second-class citizens' in the formation of Malaysia.
"If this vicious cycle is not halted, it will continue to repeat."