A community group in Terengganu has sought help from the police to search for the ‘missing’ RM3 billion in royalty paid by national oil company Petronas to the state.

“I believe the money had been abused and this should be investigated,” said Mohd Fauzi Abu Samah, the chairman of Local Union Council, in a statement today.

Last Tuesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Amirsham Aziz told Parliament that the east-coast state had received RM7.3 billion from Petronas from 2004 to 2007.

The two other beneficiaries of the oil royalty payments are Sabah (RM1.2 billion) and Sarawak (RM4.8 billion).

“The royalty payments to these states are based on a set contract formula of 5 percent or half of the royalties paid to the federal government. The royalties paid to each of these states are based on their production values,” said Amirsham.

To lodge report to ACA

However, newly-minted Mentri Besar Ahmad Said revealed that Terengganu had only received RM4.3 billion of the RM7.3 billion over the three-year period.

“As a concerned citizen, I have the right to lodge a report on the ‘mysteriously’ missing billions,” said Fauzi after lodging the police report at 11am today.

“Otherwise, the country will lose its credibility among foreign investors.”

Fauzi also said his organisation will bring the matter to the Anti-Corruption Agency soon.

Apart from lodging the police report, the Local Union Council will carry out a ‘Save Terengganu Royalty Campaign’ at Dataran Shahbandar in Kuala Terengganu this Saturday.