Govt allocates RM3.6 bln for diesel subsidies in East Malaysia

A vehicle getting refueled at a petrol station. — DayakDaily.com file pic. // Photo: Pixabay

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 27: The government has allocated RM3.6 billion this year for diesel subsidies at petrol stations and for fishermen in Sarawak, Sabah, and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

According to a news report from TV Sarawak (TVS) today, Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the significant difference in price of goods between the three regions and Peninsular Malaysia is a factor in the government’s consideration of continuing to provide the subsidies.

“Apart from that, the government will also continue to provide egg subsidies for Sarawak, Sabah, and Labuan which involved an expenditure of RM96 million last year.

“Also (by) taking into account the very limited supply of local rice in the Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan, the government has also provided subsidies for imported rice to those regions with an allocation of RM92.84 million for October to December 2023,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Armizan was answering a question from Lo Su Fui (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) regarding the government’s plan to standardise the prices of goods involving Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak.

Among others, Armizan said KPDN have also implemented two main specific programmes namely the Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan Price Standardisation Program (PPHSSL) which involves an annual allocation of RM40 million.

He added that the Distribution of Necessary Goods, LPG and Community Drumming Program was implemented with an allocation of RM225 million.

The price of diesel rose to RM3.35 per litre after subsidies were removed on June 10 in Peninsular Malaysia. The price of the fuel remains unchanged in Sabah and Sarawak. — DayakDaily