KOTA KINABALU: Targeted diesel subsidies must reflect ground realities in Sabah, say two Parti Warisan assemblymen in urging the Federal Government to review its July 1 implementation.
Luyang assemblyman Samuel Wong and Api-Api assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Loi Kok Liang say while curbing leakages is necessary, the policy must take into account Sabah’s unique conditions.
They have called on the Federal Government to raise the quota from 200 litres to 300 litres per month to reflect actual usage and travel patterns in the state.
“Decisions should be guided by ground realities, not assumptions from Peninsular Malaysia,” they said in a statement on Thursday (June 25).
They said the Federal Government should not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach designed around conditions or assumptions based on Peninsular Malaysia.
“One vehicle, one quota principle is acceptable in principle, but needs flexibility to accommodate family arrangements common in Sabah.
“Shared vehicles are widespread in Sabah (siblings, parents, children, or family members using the same diesel vehicle), and these should not be penalised as abuse,” they said in referring to Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan’s statement that the government will maintain the “one vehicle, one quota” principle.
The assemblymen urged that verification should be based on the actual user (via MyKad, driving licence, valid road tax), not just the registered vehicle owner’s name.
“The implementation must recognise how Sabah families actually live.
“Children working in Peninsular Malaysia purchase diesel vehicles for their elderly parents in Sabah. There are family vehicles registered under one sibling but driven daily by another. There are also vehicles that remain under a parent’s name, although they are now used every day by their children.
“These are not attempts to exploit the subsidy system. They are ordinary family arrangements that reflect the realities faced by many Sabahans,” they said.
The two state lawmakers also pointed out that Sabahans travel further due to the terrain geography and lack of alternatives, not by choice.
They also said diesel vehicles were a necessity as it was essential for transporting agricultural produce, construction material, business supplies, workers, and families.
They cautioned that inadequate subsidised diesel support will raise logistics costs that could increase prices of food, services and daily necessities in a state already facing higher costs.
Starting July, a basic 200-litre subsidy quota for diesel priced at RM2.10 per litre will be provided under the Budi Madani Diesel programme.
