KUCHING: One of the “universal” pledges among the contesting parties in the Sarawak state election is to ensure that petroleum revenue will benefit and be enjoyed by the people.Ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and its local opponents highlight this point in their soon-to-be-unveiled manifestos.

       Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said revenue from natural resources was now part of the parties’ manifestos as they wanted to protect the people’s interests.

       “The parties want to prove that they are willing to work towards giving the people what they deserve, especially when the sentiment is that they have been discriminated against,” he said.

       He said while usually, only urban voters were interested in manifestos and rural electorates were more concerned about bread and butter issues, addressing petroleum revenue would pique their interest.

       “This is a good strategy by the parties. This is the kind of assurance the people want,” he added.

       GPS is kicking off its election campaign by unveiling its manifesto “Sarawak First” today.

       It has pledged to get additional revenue for petroleum products through the 5% sales tax, where about RM7bil had been collected since it was imposed in 2019.

       The manifesto will also highlight amendments to the Federal Constitution under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

       Local opposition parties – Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (Sedar), Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) and Sarawak’s People Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) – have also included petroleum revenue in their manifestos.

       PSB has detailed its manifesto, covering its plans to strengthen the state’s revenue, including establishing a sovereign wealth fund.

       Sedar president Datuk Othman Abdillah said the party planned to launch its manifesto in a day or two and its main point would be revenue from the state’s natural resources.

       “It must be given back to the people to enjoy. We want everyone in the state aged 18 and above to be given RM100 monthly and the money will come from the sale of natural resources,” he said.

       PBK president Voon Lee Shan said among the highlights of its manifesto was reclaiming oil and gas revenue for Sarawakians.

       He said the party’s manifesto would seek to pursue independence for Sarawak through the “Unilateral Declaration of Independence”, adding that fighting for independence was one of the party’s aims.