Kota Kinabalu: Putatan Umno Chief, Jeffery Nor Mohamed, urged the Federal Government to maintain the current diesel and petrol prices in Sabah.
He stressed that this measure is crucial due to the state’s road connectivity challenges and the lower average income in Sabah, which remains behind that of Peninsular Malaysia.
He highlighted that a large portion of Sabah’s population, particularly in rural areas, still relies on heavy diesel vehicles due to the poor condition of the roads.
Jeffery’s comments came in response to the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who announced a phased reduction of diesel subsidies in the state.
Jeffery also expressed hope that the BUDI95 subsidy, offering 200 liters of fuel, would continue after April in Sabah.
He emphasised the need for the subsidy given the state’s long distances, road conditions, and lower per capita income.
Jeffery urged understanding and mutual concessions between Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia, hoping for a swift return to normalcy following the ongoing crises in the Middle East.
