By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 30: Sarawak should be exempted from the RON95 petrol rationalisation plan, just as it currently is with diesel rationalisation, said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Stakan chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok.
Sim argued that Sarawak’s relatively small population—less than 10 per cent of Malaysia’s total—should not be made to bear the burden of inefficiencies occurring in the more populous Peninsular states.
“Sarawakians have long contributed to the national GDP for over 60 years, and only recently have we started to receive what is owed to us through the promises made in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“After over six decades of shouldering the responsibility of building Malaysia, it is not unreasonable to ask that our small population not be further burdened by a petrol price hike,” he said in a statement today.
While acknowledging the federal government’s need to reduce subsidies and address inefficiencies and leakages, Sim questioned why Sarawak should be included in the petrol rationalisation when it remains a major contributor to the nation’s oil and gas income.
“Exempting Sarawak from this rationalisation would likely have minimal impact on the federal government’s finances.
“The majority of wealth and population are concentrated in West Malaysia, and exempting Sarawak would only add a negligible amount to the subsidy bill.”
He further said that Sarawak’s move towards hydrogen and electric vehicles will further reduce the State’s dependence on petrol, making any continued subsidy even more manageable.
“Maintaining the same petrol price in Sarawak, similar to the diesel pricing structure, would provide an equitable and practical solution to the State’s unique challenges,” he added.
Sim also suggested that the federal government enhance smuggling controls through increased surveillance to ensure that fuel subsidies are effectively targeted and not misused.
“In light of these considerations, we urge our leaders in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and the federal government to closely examine the issue and consider following the diesel rationalisation model—ultimately granting Sarawak an exemption from petrol rationalisation as well,” he said. — DayakDaily
