Terengganu PKR is calling on Pakatan Rakyat to consider including backdated oil royalty payments for 33 years in its effort to increase the state’s oil royalty payment to 20 percent as outlined in its Buku Jingga manifesto.

NONETerengganu PKR chief Azan Ismail (right) said that the request is normal when an agreement is reviewed, including the royalty agreement between Petronas and the state government.

“This is similar to overpaid taxes that are rebated due to rights or value which were overlooked,” said the Indera Mahkota MP.

Speaking to Malaysiakini today, Azan said that if the claim is successful, Terengganu is expected to get RM19 billion a year in overdue royalty payments, which amounts to over RM500 billion throughout the overdue period.

He said that the figure far exceeds the amount of royalty that is granted to Terengganu now, which is only about two percent or RM800 million.

“I will work to get this item to also be included inside the Pakatan state manifesto that will be drafted soon,” he said.

The Buku Jingga is an outline of the opposition coalition’s programmes and policies should it come to power.