ASAJAYA: The federal government has been urged to review and refine the current diesel subsidy quota for Sabah and Sarawak, saying the current mechanism does not adequately reflect the realities of rural life in the two states.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said while measures to curb diesel leakages and smuggling were necessary, the implementation of the quota system should be refined to better accommodate genuine users, particularly those in rural areas.
“I am not saying the rationing is wrong, but it needs to be fine-tuned. We do not want diesel to be freely available and end up being smuggled across the border or sold on the black market.
“The mechanism is good, but it should be refined so that allocations are based on actual usage, especially in states such as Sabah and Sarawak where diesel is widely used,” he told reporters after officiating the Pesta Jagung Kampung Rebak Daerah Asajaya today.
Abdul Karim said Sarawak’s vast geographical size and dependence on diesel-powered vehicles made it difficult to apply the same quota mechanism used in Peninsular Malaysia.
He noted that many rural residents relied on diesel-powered pick-up trucks for daily travel, while long-distance journeys could quickly consume the monthly allocation.
“Circumstances in Sarawak are different. We cannot compare ourselves with Kuala Lumpur or Johor, where diesel-powered vehicles are less commonly used.
“For example, travelling from Miri to Bario can take up to 12 hours. A fixed monthly quota may not be sufficient for those who depend on their vehicles for work and daily activities,” he said.
The Asajaya assemblyman added that diesel was also essential for longhouses, schools and other facilities located beyond the electricity grid, where generators remained the primary source of power.
Coastal fishermen operating diesel-powered boats would likewise be affected if fuel allocations did not adequately reflect operational needs, he said.
Abdul Karim, who described himself as an avid angler, said he had reduced his own fishing trips because obtaining diesel had become more difficult under the current mechanism.
He expressed hope that the federal authorities would review the implementation of the quota system to ensure it better reflects conditions in Sabah and Sarawak while continuing to safeguard against abuse and fuel leakages.
