KUCHING, Dec 24: Stampin Member of Parliament (MP) Chong Chieng Jen has called on the Sarawak government to intervene in and resolve the diesel shortage in the State over the past two weeks, which poses a threat to the logistics sector.
Chong stated that the shortage was confirmed by several gas stations that he visited in Kuching, with many lorry and truck drivers struggling to obtain diesel.
He noted that the federal government is subsidising diesel for the general public’s vehicles and not industrial players’ but there are cases of unethical lorry or truck drivers who go from one station to another, fill up their tanks and sell the diesel to industrial players.
While acknowledging that this matter is under the Federal Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Chong said the Sarawak government with its influence now should make sure that the subsidised diesel quota given to Sarawak is sufficient to meet demand as well as ensure proper enforcement is carried out to prevent leakages.
“Many lorry drivers have to drive to several petrol stations before they can even fill up their tanks and this should not be happening.
“The (Sarawak) government should step in and look into the matter. For now, they should (seek to) increase the subsidised diesel quota so that there will be sufficient supply,” he told reporters after attending the Petrol Subsidy Programme at the Petronas Sg Maong Station here today.
Under the programme, 400 motorcyclists patronising Petronas Sg Maong Station and Petronas 8th Mile Station were given early Christmas gifts in the form of a RM5 petrol subsidy and a Sugarbun meal coupon worth RM15. — DayakDaily
