Maintain RM2.15 diesel price until Sabah infrastructure matches peninsula, says SAPP
by Nancy Lai · Borneo Post OnlineKOTA KINABALU (April 8): Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has called on the federal government to maintain the current diesel price of RM2.15 per litre, warning that any increase would be unfair until Sabah’s infrastructure and energy provisions are on par with those in the peninsula.
SAPP information chief Chin Vui Kai said Sabah, as a major oil and gas-producing region, deserves to benefit from corresponding energy dividends.
He pointed out that while Peninsular Malaysia has benefited from the oil and gas sector for more than six decades, Sabahans are now being asked to shoulder the federal government’s fiscal burden.
“The energy dependency structure in Sabah is fundamentally different from the peninsula. West Malaysia has electric rail systems as an alternative buffer, whereas Sabah’s land transport and logistics are fully reliant on diesel.
“Many interior areas still depend heavily on diesel generators due to unstable electricity grid coverage. Any diesel price hike will increase electricity generation costs, hitting both livelihoods and businesses,” he said in a statement.
Chin stressed that if the federal government intends to implement a unified fuel pricing mechanism, it must first ensure Sabah has comparable infrastructure, including electrified rail transport and stable electricity grid coverage, to reduce reliance on diesel.
He also urged the federal government to address price disparities between East and West Malaysia, as well as high housing costs and inadequate infrastructure in Sabah.
“The diesel price of RM2.15 per litre is a basic subsidy that must be maintained until the federal government repays its debt for Sabah’s insufficient infrastructure,” Chin added.