LABUAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed all relevant enforcement agencies to intensify operations against the abuse and theft of diesel across Malaysia, including Labuan.
Addressing the persistent issue, Anwar underscored his commitment to tackling those involved in diesel theft with strict legal actions.
"Believe me, we will go all out to catch those involved, and if we find them with evidence, we will prosecute them in court.
"We do not want to see the nation being cheated. We want enforcement agencies, including in Labuan, to step up operations and checks against diesel theft,” he said at the Community Engagement Session at the Labuan Marine Department open space on Friday (May 31).
Anwar emphasised that curbing diesel theft is essential to protect the interests of people in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, who rely heavily on diesel.
The Prime Minister also called on the public to report any instances of diesel theft and abuse to the authorities to aid in the nationwide crackdown.
He reiterated his stance on the diesel subsidy rationalisation programme, noting that Sabah and Sarawak are exempt from the new scheme announced on May 21. He explained that almost all households in these regions depend on diesel, and implementing subsidy changes would impose undue burdens on them.
To mitigate the potential inflationary impact on goods and services prices in Peninsular Malaysia, Anwar said the government will provide cash assistance directly to individual owners of commercial vehicles. He specified that the rationalisation programme would target 10 types of public transport vehicles and 23 types of goods-carrying vehicles. – Bernama
