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SEMPORNA: The Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) is seeking diesel and petrol subsidy assistance for the State’s tourism sector, particularly operators in island areas.

Its Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the global fuel supply crisis has significantly affected tourism operators on the islands, resulting in a sharp increase in daily operating costs due to rising diesel and petrol prices.

“For example, in the islands of Semporna, operators previously spent around RM100,000, but following the increase in fuel prices, those costs have doubled to transport tourists to resorts, diving sites and surrounding islands.

“Resorts in island areas rely on diesel generators because there is no electricity supply on the islands, and this situation places a heavy burden on tourism operators,” he told reporters.

Jafry said KePKAS would hold discussions with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) and the Ministry of Finance to ensure Sabah’s tourism industry is included among sectors eligible for fuel subsidies.

He noted that the tourism industry is currently not listed under the Subsidised Petrol Control System or the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) managed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), as the sector is categorised as a commercial profit-driven industry.