Kelantan senior exco, Husam Musa has alleged that there is an agreement between the federal government and Petronas over the payment of oil royalties in the state.

Husam, who claimed to have seen the document, also revealed that former Lord President Salleh Abas had also met him and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat recently, over the possibility that a deal was done between the Kelantan Sultan in 1948 and the British whereby the oil rights would not be relinquished to others.

pas muktamar 55 husam musa 050609 The senior exco member also told the 2,000 partisan crowd last night at Kampung Chuchuh Puteri A, that Petronas had drilled for oil about 150 kilometres off shore from Kelantan.

Hence, Husam (right) said Kelantan and its people have a right to the oil royalty, he told the voters of Manek Urai which was greeted with loud cheers.

"Nik Aziz had informed me that when he was an elected representative since the 1970's, that he was aware of the existence of an agreement between the BN Kelantan government then and Petronas, the national oil company," he said.

"We searched the old files and did indeed find the agreement that was signed on May 9, 1975, between the then Kelantan menteri besar Mohammad Nasir with the then Petronas chairman Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah," said Husam.

It was reported that oil had been extracted from Kelantan shores sometime in 2002.

On June 17, this year, the Kelantan state government has been asking the federal government to pay RM1 billion in royalty.

On Monday night, PKR's newly appointed Supreme Council member and former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Zaid Ibrahim had called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to reveal the truth over the matter.

‘Royalty not paid to K'tan'

Husam told the voters that that PAS, actual claim was not RM1 billion but RM1.7 billion.

AThis was based on our actual calculation from oil extracted off shore since 2002.

However, Nik Aziz has advised the Kelantan government to claim RM1 billion from the Federal government as it did not want to shock them.

"Our claim (for oil royalty) is legitimate based on the agreement as the oil is extracted closer to our shores that is 150 kilometres off shore."

husam musa bangsar 080408 right Other states like Sarawak or Terengganu, Husam said, had their oil is extracted more than 240 kilometres off shore and they were paid royalty by the Federal government.

Hence, he questioned why was Kelantan deprived of its right to the oil royalty.

Husam said if the Federal government claims that it had to discuss with Thailand with regards to the royalty issue " we do not mind sharing it with the Thais but give what is rightfully ours."

He also attacked Kelantan Umno chief Mustapa Mohamed, who is also the International Trade and Industries Minister,saying that if he could not relate to the wishes and rights of the Kelantan people, than he should resign.

AThe funds if given, would help bring more development to Kelantan unlike Umno which is contesting here and periodically gives projects like instant noodles for development,@ he said.

"However, I am certain the constituents in Manek Urai would not be duped with such projects brought in by Umno and the Federal government," he said.

Husam also taunted Umno for contesting in the by-election after pulling out of Penanti.

AThey do not want to contest in Penanti for fear that they may lose and to save their diminishing ego as they had lost in Kuala Terengganu, Bukit Gantang, Permatang Pauh and in Bukit Selambau.

He also reminded the voters in Manek Urai, it was not the Umno federal government which had given the people land for them to open up and plant rubber and oil palm plantations, but it was the PAS state government which had provided this.