By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 5: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has called for Sarawak to be exempted from the Federal government’s proposed targeted subsidy for RON95 petrol.
While acknowledging the necessity of introducing a targeted subsidy similar to that for diesel, Chong expressed concerns regarding the policy’s execution.
“Sarawak is a major oil-producing State, and the oil extracted from our region contributes significantly to the Federal government’s revenue.
“Yet, the average Sarawakian does not benefit from the wealth generated by our own natural resources.
“Therefore, it is my appeal that, at the very least, Sarawakians should enjoy a lower pump price,” he stated during the Budget 2025 debate in Parliament today.
Chong also noted that in recent years, oil and gas resources have also provided substantial revenue to the Sarawak government through royalties and sales tax.
During the National Budget 2025 announcement on Oct 18, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim indicated that the government plans to implement the targeted subsidy for RON95 petrol in the middle of next year.
He however assured that the government remains committed to maintaining RM12 billion in subsidies for the benefit of 85 percent of the population. — DayakDaily
