KUCHING: Rising fuel prices are continuing to drive broader cost pressures, with ripple effects felt across goods and services, particularly in Sarawak, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said increases in oil prices inevitably lead to higher costs in other sectors due to their dependence on fuel.
“When oil prices increase, it has a spin-off effect. Items that depend on fuel will also see price increases, and this is where the government needs to monitor thoroughly,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak Club here today.
He said the situation is further compounded by Sarawak’s vast geographical landscape, where logistics and transportation play a critical role in the movement of goods across urban and rural areas.
Abdul Karim noted that many sectors in the state rely heavily on diesel-powered transport, making them more vulnerable to fluctuations in fuel prices.
He added that while Malaysia’s fuel prices remain relatively manageable compared to other countries, the indirect impact on the cost of goods continues to be felt by consumers.
“As long as fuel prices are affected, there will be a chain reaction. That is why monitoring and enforcement must be carried out properly to ensure that prices remain controlled,” he said.
He stressed that government intervention is necessary to ensure that price increases are not driven by opportunistic practices.
Abdul Karim said effective monitoring mechanisms are important to ensure that businesses do not take advantage of the situation to impose unjustified price hikes.
He added that safeguarding price stability remains a shared responsibility between enforcement agencies and industry players.
