By Shikin Louis
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2: The cost of living in Sabah and Sarawak is relatively much higher than Peninsular Malaysia which led to both States being exempted from rationalisation of diesel subsidies, says Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Please go to Sabah and Sarawak and look at their situations.
“The use of diesel in both States is comprehensive, unlike the Peninsular. (Arguably) every boat and car uses diesel and the implementation of diesel subsidy rationalisation will be difficult,” he said when responding to Hulu Terenganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid during question time in Dewan Rakyat broadcast live by Malaysian Parliament on YouTube today.
Rosol had earlier made a sarcastic comment that the issue of subsidised diesel leakages probably did not happen in Sabah and Sarawak as the Federal government chose not to extend the subsidy cut to both States.
However, Anwar has defended the Federal government’s move to exempt Sabah and Sarawak from diesel subsidy rationalisation, denying any sort of pressure from the States.
“Additionally, the cost of living in Sabah and Sarawak is relatively much higher than Peninsular Malaysia.
“Thus, this (exemption) is not because we are being pressured or as insinuated by Hulu Terengganu that we are excluding Sabah and Sarawak because they are not affected by what we face,” Anwar elaborated.
On June 10, the price of diesel rose to RM3.35 per litre after subsidies were removed in Peninsular Malaysia. The price of the fuel remains unchanged in Sabah and Sarawak. — DayakDaily
