PAS wants to refer Prime Minister Najib Razak to the Parliament's Committee of Privileges claiming that the latter had distorted facts on oil royalty claims by the Kelantan government.

Kubang Kerian parliamentarian Salahuddin Ayub was referring to the government's offer to start paying the the PAS-run state with wang ehsan (compassionate money) from next year.

NONE According to him, the prime minister had ‘distorted' the facts when he said in Dewan Rakyat that Terengganu, which is now under BN control, is also receiving compassionate money.

"It contradicts Section 144 of the Petroleum Development Act 1974," said Salehuddin, adding that Dzulkefly Ahmad (PAS-Kuala Selangor) will move the motion under the Standing Orders.

Salahuddin ( left ) revealed the Act clearly stated that oil producing states must receive 50 percent of the revenues. "It was clear that Najib lied when he said that Terengganu is receiving goodwill payment and not royalties," he said.

According to Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena), Section 144 clearly stated that the oil-producing states such as Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarak deserve oil royalty from national oil company Petronas.

"His statement is definitely contrary to Section 144," Mahfuz told reporter at a press conference in parliament.

Section 144 has no stipulations on boundaries

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said that Najib had also misled the House when he said that Kelantan was not entitled to the oil royalties as the areas are not located within the state boundaries.

The PAS leader, however, had a different view on the matter, saying no such stipulation is contained in the Section 144.

"If that question is raised, Sabah is also not entitled to any oil royalty because it is located so far away from the petroleum source.

khalid samad 160609 02 "Besides, the section mentions oil royalty rather than compassionate money. So we want him to bereferred to the Committee of Privileges," he said.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad ( right ) added the prime minister's statement was in contradiction to financial reports citing Kelantan as one of the oil exploration states.

"And according to the report (petroleum) belongs to Kelantan... when it belongs to Kelantan, the royalty is paid to the state and the money goes to the people," said Khalid.

Therefore, the federal government does not have the right to hold back the money or to disburse it at the prerogative of the prime minister.

"This just shows their attitude (that) they can't accept or don't want to accept that BN is no longer in power in Kelantan," said Khalid.

"This is a question of responsibility and trust. BN is denying the people of Kelantan of their right to the oil royalty. We cannot accept the suggestion that the money will disbursed at their will," said Khalid.