The leaders of Sabah and Sarawak did not put pressure on the government to implement subsidy targeting

KUCHING: The leaders of Sabah and Sarawak did not exert any pressure to influence the Federal government’s decision to exclude the region from subsidy targeting.

Berita Harian reported that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his administration understands that fuel is one of the main needs of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

He said diesel was widely used in the two regions, compared to the peninsula.

In fact, he said, diesel subsidy targeting is difficult to implement in the two regions.

Anwar said, with that explanation, he hoped critics would understand that the subsidy targeting exception was not influenced by the pressure of Sabah and Sarawak leaders.

“Every boat and every vehicle on the road needs a high diesel vehicle. So we are postponing the targeting in Sabah and Sarawak.

“In fact, there is also a possibility that it will be difficult to implement in Sabah and Sarawak because too many people use diesel,” he said.

He said this in a speech at the Sarawak Level Gawai Dayak Dinner 2024, at the Borneo Convention Center Kuching, here, today.

Also present were the Premier of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg and his wife, Puan Sri Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang as well as two Deputy Premiers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Anwar said that the government’s decision sparked controversy, but the community should admit that the use of diesel for vehicles is not widespread in the Peninsula.

“For school buses, we give subsidies. For fishermen, we help. We also help small farmers. So, they are not affected,” he said.

According to him, the government’s move to withdraw electricity subsidies for the wealthy and large companies earlier this year has also had a positive effect.

“The withdrawal of the subsidy affects 15 percent of the highest class, while 85 percent of the people in the peninsula still receive subsidies.

“With that step we can save expenses of RM4.5 billion a year,” he said.

Meanwhile, in response to the move by the Sarawak government to advance an allocation of RM200 million to implement a project to upgrade health and education facilities for the poor in rural areas, Anwar said the Federal Government will immediately pay it back.

“This Monday I will direct the Ministry of Finance to repay the RM100 million immediately.

“It is so that money can be spent without problems. Otherwise, every time we meet, the Premier will ask when we want to pay the debt. So, I don’t want to be like that,” he said.