KUALA LUMPUR: A Sabah Umno delegate has called on the government to abolish targeted petrol and diesel subsidy quotas, describing the 400-litre monthly limit for diesel vehicles as impractical for the state's geographical reality.
Debating the president’s policy speech at the Umno General Assembly on Saturday (Sept 12), Kota Belud division chief Azuwan Marjan @ Norjan said driving between districts in Sabah often mirrors interstate travel in Peninsular Malaysia, making current fuel caps troublesome for daily commuters.
Azuwan pointed out that strict vehicle ownership requirements for subsidy eligibility also hurt small-scale operators.
"To be eligible, one must own the vehicle. What about unregistered users who rely on these vehicles every day for their livelihoods?" he asked, noting that small traders, farmers, and fishermen are disproportionately affected.
Under the current Budi Madani scheme updated on Aug 30, monthly eligibility caps stand at 300 litres for RON95 petrol and up to 400 litres for diesel vehicle owners.
Turning to state rights, Azuwan assured that an Umno-Barisan Nasional-led federal government would prioritise fulfilling the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"This is extremely close to our hearts. When we take back Putrajaya, resolving this will be a top priority within our first year," he said.
Addressing political strategy ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16), he highlighted Barisan's success in working with local Sabah parties during the recent Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections.
He stated that Sabah Umno fully trusts party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to decide on electoral pacts, while urging members to unite and purge saboteurs who abandon the party when denied candidacies.
Azuwan also paid tribute to the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, calling his passing a major loss for Sabah Umno. However, he reaffirmed the state chapter's unified support behind new chief Datuk Jafry Ariffin, pledging to defend all seven of Umno's parliamentary seats in Sabah.
He concluded by expressing disappointment over the deferred pardon application for former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, stating that Sabahans deeply appreciate the development brought to the state during Najib's tenure.
