Malaysia's regions want more oil revenues

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Malaysia's Kelantan state government is still pursuing its oil royalty claim with the federal government.

Recent media reports said Nik Aziz's state administration is seeking $288.5 million in oil revenue royalties, saying that sum represents 5 percent of the federal government's revenue from petroleum and liquefied natural gas extracted from offshore Kelantan production facilities over the last five years.

Bernama news agency reported Tuesday that Kelantan's Chief Minister Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said that although his administration had initially expected the oil royalty to be paid before Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and this year fell on Monday, his administration would continue to pursue the issue.

Nik Aziz, a member of the Kelantan State Assembly for Chempaka, told journalists, "Discussions between officers from both sides are being carried out to facilitate the approval process. We are still hoping for the discussions to have a positive effect."