Kuching: DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen has demanded that GPS ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister, explain why Sarawak’s demands for a higher diesel subsidy quota and wider eligibility for commercial vehicles were not accepted under the revised BUDI Diesel policy.
Chong said DAP Sarawak, through DAP’s ministers, had tabled two demands to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: a monthly allocation of 500 litres of subsidised diesel for all diesel vehicles in Sarawak, and subsidised diesel for all commercial vehicles in Sarawak, including tipper trucks, cement mixers and tow trucks.
“The DAP ministers have tabled these demands to PMX. However, as the demands are exclusively from Sarawak and only GPS has ministers from Sarawak sitting in the cabinet, surely their views on the matter will carry more weight and be decisive.
“Therefore, the GPS ministers should give us an explanation as to why these demands are not acceded to by PMX,” he said in a statement.
Chong said the revised BUDI Diesel policy announced on the 69th Hari Kebangsaan was a major disappointment to many ordinary Sarawakians.
“What have the GPS ministers sitting in cabinet (including the Deputy Prime Minister) said on the revised Budi Diesel policy? Have the GPS ministers consented to such a policy on behalf of Sarawakians?
“No doubt, under the revised Budi Diesel policy, there was an increase of an additional 100 litres of subsidised diesel for all ‘qualified’ diesel vehicle owners. To West Malaysians, this is an increased subsidy,” he said.
He pointed out that when BUDI Diesel was first implemented a year ago, it applied only to West Malaysia, while Sarawak enjoyed unlimited subsidised diesel.
Chong said the justification then was that diesel vehicles were an essential need in Sarawak and not a luxury.
“This ‘essential need’ element for diesel vehicles in Sarawak, as mentioned by PMX, then has not changed. Yet, PMX is now restricting the diesel usage of Sarawakians from the initial unlimited amount to 300 litres and now to 400 litres,” he said.
He also said many commercial vehicles previously entitled to subsidised diesel are now excluded under both policies, while those seeking the 400-litre subsidy may face additional costs for PUSPAKOM inspections twice a year.
Chong said DAP Sarawak would continue to pursue the matter.
