SANDAKAN: Member of Parliament for Sandakan Vivian Wong Shir Yee urged the government to review the eligibility criteria and quota for diesel subsidies, taking into account Sabah’s unique circumstances to ensure that people and industries reliant on diesel are not left out.
She emphasised that such a review is essential to prevent Sabah’s already high cost of living from climbing further due to rising operational and logistics costs.
Vivian also called for Members of Parliament to be given a wider role in consultative sessions prior to the implementation of major policies. As representatives who are constantly on the ground, she noted they possess direct insight into the real hardships faced by their constituents and can help ensure policies are truly inclusive.
Although the global supply crisis impacts the entire country, Wong argued that Sabah and Sarawak bear a heavier burden because of their dependence on costly logistics. With vast geographical expanses and many rural areas relying entirely on road transport, diesel policies cannot simply mirror those applied in Peninsular Malaysia.
She further questioned whether the allocated quota is genuinely adequate, particularly for the fisheries sector and other diesel-dependent operations. Given the immense distances between districts, Sabahans regularly travel hundreds of kilometres for work, healthcare, education, or business, making them acutely sensitive to any increase in transport costs.
In Sabah, diesel-powered four-wheel-drive vehicles are not a luxury but a daily necessity for navigating interior areas, moving agricultural produce, delivering supplies, and performing routine activities. Vivian expressed hope that the government would acknowledge these realities and design an optimal mechanism to help Sabahans meet these challenges effectively. – James Leong
Vivian emphasised that such a review is essential to prevent Sabah’s already high cost of living from climbing further due to rising operational and logistics costs.
