Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin advised pro-PAS non-governmental organisations in Kelantan to negotiate their demands for oil royalties through the proper channel instead of holding demonstrations.   

NONE Prime Minister Najib Razak has set up a special committee to review such demands, to satisfy all parties, he said.

"This includes requesting the Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang governments to send their representatives to sit on the committee," he told reporters after meeting the villagers of Kampung Pantai Damak in Bachok today.

Awang Adek, who is also Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairperson, was commenting on the recent demonstration by the NGO, Professional Coalition Seeking Royalty, Oil and Gas Docking at Kelantan.   

Former CJ heads special committee

In August last year, Najib announced the setting up of the special committee to conduct a transparent study on the issue of oil revenue payments to the east coast states.  

The committee, chaired by former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad, is comprised of local and foreign legal experts, and representatives from the Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan state governments chosen by the respective sultans.       

Awang Adek added that he believed the issue was being intentionally played up to stir anger towards the BN as the time draws nearer to the 13th general election.      

If the parties were genuine the matter could be discussed through the special committee, he said.  

- Bernama