TAWAU: Sri Tanjong Assemblyman Justin Wong urged both the Federal and State governments to expedite assistance for tourism operators struggling with rising diesel costs, and to extend subsidy mechanisms to include maritime transport and island tourism.
He said operators are now fully bearing diesel costs without government subsidies.
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“I have been informed by an island operator in Semporna that their monthly diesel expenditure has surged to as much as RM300,000 due to the absence of fuel subsidies,” he said.
He added that island tourism operators rely on diesel not only for land and sea transport but also to power generators on islands.
According to Justin, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) had implemented the Subsidised Diesel Control System policy for land transport vehicles.
“If land transportation receives subsidies, why is maritime transport being sidelined?” he asked.
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He said the current subsidised petrol quota of 200 litres per boat it was insufficient for daily operations.
Justin noted that islands such as Semporna and Kota Kinabalu are internationally recognised tourist destinations that receive large numbers of foreign visitors daily.
“As an oil-producing state, continued financial pressure on tourism operators without subsidies will affect one of Sabah’s key economic sectors,” he said.
He urged the State Government to address the issue seriously to ensure sustainable development of the tourism industry.
He also questioned whether the Sabah government had engaged with the Federal Government on the matter, or was merely remaining passive amid rising global fuel prices caused by conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
