Taken from the pages of Bernama, dateline 2009-12-23:
KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 23 (Bernama) — The Terengganu government is still discussing with the federal government the long-standing oil royalty payment to the state.
Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the state government had rejected the Finance Ministry’s offer of RM1.686 billion in oil royalty and demanded that the state be paid RM2.792 billion for the period 2000 to 2009.
However, both parties had yet to reach a consensus on the matter. he said.
“Although the state government is hoping to resolve the oil royalty issue as soon as possible, there are several matters in the agreement which have yet to be agreed upon by both parties.
“I cannot explain the issues or new matters involved in detail as the discussion is still ongoing and it could jeopardise the outcome,” he said in reply to Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Rhu Rendang) in the state assembly here today.
Don’t you just love politics?
Wata - Malaysian Oil and Gas Engineer 