Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin hopes that veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will make an “educated choice” on an invitation to head a proposed parliamentary caucus on oil and gas royalties.

NONE “I have read the news but I have not received any detailed report on his real position,” said Muhyiddin when asked about a claim that Razaleigh will head the opposition-mooted caucus.

“It is better that Razaleigh carefully analyses (his decision) because even though it involves the state of Kelantan, (the caucus) is sponsored by the opposition and Anwar (Ibrahim) himself is behind it.”

Muhyiddin was speaking to reporters today after chairing the National Anti-Drug Action Council meeting in Parliament.

Yesterday, Anwar, the Opposition Leader and Permatang Paul MP, told reporters that Razaleigh had consented to head the caucus when it is initiated in the House.

However, Star r eported today that Razaleigh - popularly known as Ku Li - has yet to decide on participation.

azlan Razaleigh, the Gua Musang BN parliamentarian, was involved in drafting the Petroleum Development Act in 1974. His personal stand is that the oil royalty belongs to the people.

"It is a constitutional right of the people, whether (the oil) is found onshore or offshore. I think it was indeed in the agreements signed between the states and Petronas that the states where oil is found onshore or offshore will benefit from such funds," he had said previously.

‘Not a common policy’

Muhyiddin said that it is not common policy for BN parliamentarians to take part in such a caucus.

“I think Razaleigh understands this and we will let him consider (the matter) before making a final decision....I think he has been long enough in the party, so he knows what decision he should make.

“We have a principle that BN parties do not get involved in such matters. We are tied to these principles even though we know the purpose (of the caucus).”

oil exploration in south east asia He added that BN members of parliament have “direct access to the government's resources and information on the issue of oil royalty” and that they are welcome to “get the real picture”.

The proposal for the caucus stemmed from an uproar following premier Najib Abdul Razak's announcement that the federal government would make 'goodwill payments' from offshore oil operations to the PAS-ruled state of Kelantan from next year.

Opposition MPs, especially those from Kelantan, rejected the offer saying that the federal government should pay the state its entitled oil royalty and that the goodwill payments are akin to charity.