PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali today defended Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, in response to reports in several newspapers accusing the former Petronas chairman of flip-flopping on the issue of oil royalties.
 
tengku razaleigh hamzah interview with malaysiakini 2At a public rally last week, Razaleigh (right) backed the Kelantan’s government’s claim for royalties.

“It is my responsibility to tell the truth about Tengku Razaleigh as I do not (want) him to be victimised,” Mustafa said.

He added that the Gua Musang MP had, in 2001, had prepared an affidavit in order to take the stand for the Terengganu government against the federal government. 

Razaleigh did not testify, however, as the Court of Appeal allowed an application from both the federal government and Petronas for the case to only be argued using the law.

“This was their strategy, because if Tengku Razaleigh took the stand he would be able to refute claims made by the federal government and Petronas,” Mustafa added.

'Don't go to court'

NONEMustafa (left), who was Terengganu state executive councillor from 1999 to 2004, added that it is the Barisan Nasional government which has been inconsistent on the matter.

“When PAS took Terengganu in 1999, the state had received oil royalty for over 20 years, but this ceased in September 2000, First they called it royalty, and now they call is ‘wang ehsan’,” he said.

He also advised the Kelantan government not to bring their oil royalty grievances to court, to avoid the delays faced by the ongoing Terengganu case.

“If they go to court, then there will be no room to clarify matters to the people, as speaking of it will be sub judice.

“Let’s avoid if becoming like Terengganu; 10 years later and still no progress,” he said. 

The state received approximately RM800 million in oil royalties from the federal government in 2000, and is seeking another RM2.79 billion. 

“Even the BN state government has not pressed the courts on this matter,” Mustafa said.

However, he revealed that Terengganu MB Ahmad Said told PAS that he will not withdraw the case.

“The federal government is not happy with him for not listening to them (but) at the last state assembly, he gave us his commitment to not withdraw,” he said.

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