Call for federal govt to subsidise fuel prices in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: It is high time for the federal government to subsidise Sabah’s retail fuel, especially to reduce the retail price of diesel by at least 15%, to relieve the economic stagnation which Sabahans are facing now, said Datuk Richard Yong We Kong.

The deputy president of Sabah Progressive Party pointed out that Pakatan Harapan had given pledges for Sabah to receive 20% oil royalty once they were elected, and by implementing the Special Subsidise on retail fuel can be a feasible approach.

“This move will only cause the oil and gas companies to earn a little bit less money from Sabahans’ pockets, but it will be very effective to help restore Sabah’s economy, in general,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Yong said that Sabah, as an oil producing state, had contributed significantly to the national coffer, and Sabah people rightfully enjoy lower fuel price.

“If the retail price of diesel is lowered by 15% (as compare to Peninsular Malaysia), it can help contain the logistic cost in Sabah, and control the price inflation caused by excessive transportation cost,” he explained.

He said that the retail goods price in Sabah had always been higher than that of the peninsula, mainly due to the additional transportation costs resulted from poor roads condition.

“After Chinese New Year, Sabahans felt the overall economic stagnation. Even the hawkers in the tamu in Donggongon are facing the pinch of economic downturn”

Yong said members of the Parliament representing the people of Sabah should table such a proposal in the ongoing Parliament session, to push PH government to fulfill the election pledges they promised to let Sabah enjoy 20 percent oil royalty as soon as possible .

“Since the country’s administration has changed, there is no reason for Sabahans’ interests to continue to be sacrificed for benefit of other states. Sabah’s rights should be restored together with the equal partners status,” he asserted.