The Malaysian government announced the continuation of diesel support at RM2.15 per liter in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, emphasizing that this decision reflects local economic and social conditions. State leaders confirmed that the challenging terrain makes diesel essential for daily life, as both land and sea transport rely on this vital resource.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry in Sabah, Datuk Jahid Jahim, stated that the rough terrain and limited road infrastructure make diesel-powered vehicles, especially SUVs, a necessity compared to the Malaysian Peninsula. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for maintaining the support, noting that geographical conditions and daily travel needs vary significantly.
Details of the Announcement
Jahid added that his ministry is in discussions with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to ensure that small farmers benefit from the support. He also encouraged farmers to shift to using organic fertilizers as a more cost-effective alternative amid rising chemical fertilizer prices.
Meanwhile, Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah, former Minister of Youth and Sports in Sabah, affirmed that the support is not unfair to other states. He explained that this decision is justified considering the differences in basic facilities, road conditions, and high logistics costs.
Background & Context
Sabah is one of the Malaysian states facing challenging geographical conditions, where residents encounter significant mobility challenges. For instance, traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau takes about 10 hours for a distance of 450 kilometers, compared to just 6 hours to cover 500 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur to Perlis.
Historically, Sabah has suffered from underdevelopment compared to the Peninsula, making government support in the form of fuel price subsidies essential to ensure the continuity of daily life for its residents.
Impact & Consequences
Experts believe that the continuation of diesel support may help alleviate economic pressures on residents, as rising fuel prices will directly increase transportation costs, negatively impacting the prices of essential goods. Datuk James Ratib, Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, noted that many residents of Sabah are not wealthy, and the prices of essential goods are already higher than those in the Peninsula.
Datuk Ewon Benedick, the Third Deputy Prime Minister, also emphasized that Sabah deserves support as one of the country's major oil and gas-producing states. He stressed the need to review the needs of this state to ensure that the benefits return to the people.
Regional Significance
Sabah's experience with fuel support is of interest to Arab countries facing similar challenges in providing affordable fuel to their citizens. The lessons learned from this case can help shape more effective support policies in countries suffering from difficult economic conditions.
In conclusion, diesel support in Sabah represents an important step towards achieving economic and social stability in the region and reflects the challenges faced by states with difficult terrains. It is crucial for the government to continue reviewing its policies to ensure fairness and sustainable development.