Borneo folk glad subsidy continues

Rugged terrains: Diesel four-wheel drive vehicles are essential for navigating Sabah and Sarawak’s challenging landscapes.

PETALING JAYA: The postponement of the diesel subsidy rationalisation for Sabah and Sarawak has come as a relief for locals.

However, many are hoping that there will be no such rationalisation in the state where many people use diesel-powered vehicles for daily transportation.

Diesel-powered four-wheel drive vehicles are crucial for travel around Sabah and Sarawak, given the hilly and rocky road conditions in the two states, says 39-year-old photographer Azlandy Mohammid Ali Tuah.

“This will also reduce the burden on those in rural areas,” he added.

Azlandy, who lives in Kuching, said people in the interiors also rely heavily on four-wheel drive vehicles to transport agricultural produce.

“With the subsidy for diesel unchanged, we hope raw materials will not see a price hike,” he added.

Veteran journalist Datuk Muguntan Vanar, from Kota Kinabalu, said diesel-powered vehicles remain the best transport mode in Sabah due to poor road conditions.

“Increasing diesel prices will hit everyone, from small-time farmers to salesmen. Road conditions are bad, especially outside urban areas.

“Small petrol-powered cars are always damaged when using these roads and repairs cost a lot,” said Muguntan.

Sarawakian Mohd Shaifful said it is important for the authorities to ensure strict monitoring of diesel to ensure that it would not be illegally sold by unscrupulous parties.

“Subsidies must not be abused by people with vested interests,” he added.

Amirul Adzharudin Norlee, a 35-year-old private sector worker, is also hoping that the government maintains diesel subsidies for Sarawak and Sabah.

“Many diesel-vehicle drivers in Sabah and Sarawak are hoping that diesel will remain subsidised,” he said.

Contractor Naiza John from Mukah, Sarawak, agreed.

He said many drivers in Sarawak are dependent on four-wheel drives, lorries or other vehicles that use diesel.

Four-wheel drive vehicle owner David Chan is thankful to the Prime Minister for retaining the subsidy on diesel in Sabah.

“A lot of Sabahans, especially in rural areas, drive diesel-run four-wheel drive vehicles because of the road condition in the state,” said Chan.On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the diesel subsidy rationalisation, affecting only consumers in Peninsular Malaysia.

Sabah and Sarawak will not be affected yet.