KUALA LUMPUR: A Perikatan Nasional Senator has claimed that federal government still owes Terengganu oil royalty payments.
Datuk Razali Idris, who is also Bersatu information chief, said Terengganu was supposed to be paid royalties for the first quarter of 2023 but this has not happened.
"The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) promised that royalties would be paid after the six state elections in August 2023.
"We waited until after the election, yet we still did not receive it (royalties)," he said when debating the royal address in the Dewan Negara today.
Razali's remarks come after Anwar hit out at an opposition leader for claiming Putrajaya treated Terengganu cruelly over parliamentary allocations and "wang ihsan" (compassionate payments).
Although Anwar did not name anyone, he is believed to have been referring to remarks made by Terengganu Menteri Besar and Kemaman member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Anwar had said allocations for Terengganu were higher than under other federal administrations, including those led by PN.
Razali said every month, the Terengganu government had to request funds from the treasury.
"We want our rights without having to inform (the federal government) what we want to do. It is as if we are beggars," he said, adding the funds they received were only enough to pay the salaries of state civil servants.
He said in actuality, Terengganu should receive around RM1.5 billion a year.
Razali said Terengganu should have received royalties for the first quarter of March.
"The people of Terengganu are still waiting. We must receive our dues. How long are the people of Terengganu supposed to wait?", he said, adding the federal government must honour its commitments.