DUN TERENGGANU | A committee will be formed before the end of the year to discuss with the Federal Government regarding the payment of petroleum royalty, said Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

He told the state assembly that the ad-hoc committee would be represented by members of the state government (PAS) and the opposition (Umno) in an aggressive bid to ensure that the right amount of royalty is paid on time in accordance with the treaty on it.

“This is among the contingency plans drawn up, apart from other steps outlined, like revising Budget 2019 if the Federal Government fails to make the royalty payments.

“This is only hypothetical, we hope it doesn’t happen … and payment will be made in accordance with the previously signed agreement, because it is the right of the people and state of Terengganu,” he said when replying to opposition leader Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman (BN-Seberang Takir).

The former menteri besar wanted to know if the state government was ready if the royalty wasn’t paid as it would then render Budget 2019 tabled last Sunday just a rhetoric.

Ahmad Samsuri had tabled a balanced budget of RM2.015 billion, where the expected petroleum royalty payment of RM1.745 billion was included as non-revenue earnings.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Said (BN-Kijal) said he would be willing to join the committee and, together with the PAS government, head to Putrajaya to demand the royalty payment.

- Bernama