Adam Yii says diesel subsidy policy unfair to East Malaysians

suppadmin | June 29, 2026

SUPP Central Publicity Secretary Adam Yii said the Federal Government’s decision to revise the monthly diesel subsidy quota to 200 litres beginning this July is grossly unfair to the people of East Malaysia and fails to reflect the realities in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said Sarawak and Sabah differ significantly from Peninsular Malaysia in terms of geographical conditions, transport infrastructure and the daily lifestyle of the people, making it inappropriate to apply a uniform nationwide policy.

“Sarawak accounts for nearly 40 per cent of Malaysia’s total land area. People here rely heavily on private vehicles, particularly diesel powered four wheel drive vehicles, for their daily transportation. For many rural residents, agricultural workers, small business operators and those who commute long distances for work, driving between 100 and 200 kilometres or even more each day is common.”

He said a monthly diesel subsidy quota of 200 litres, even if increased to 300 litres in certain individual cases, is still insufficient to meet the most basic transportation needs of many Sarawakians.

Yii also said it is even more difficult to accept that Sarawak and Sabah have long been the country’s most important oil and gas producing regions, contributing substantial energy revenue to the national treasury, yet are not receiving a diesel subsidy policy that reflects their actual needs.

He said if the Federal Government insists on implementing the policy, it should establish a separate standard for East Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, instead of imposing a single nationwide quota.

Responding to Sarawak DAP’s call for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Federal ministers to speak up, Yu said the statement completely avoids the party that should bear responsibility.
“Today, the diesel subsidy policy is being formulated by the Pakatan Harapan led Federal Government, and DAP is the largest component party in the ruling coalition, with 40 Members of Parliament, including five from Sarawak.”

He said such actions inevitably raise questions over whether DAP is attempting to divert public attention towards GPS to avoid accountability as part of the Federal ruling coalition.

Yii stressed that if Sarawak DAP Members of Parliament are unable to use their political influence within the Federal Government to safeguard the basic interests of Sarawakians, then it is fair to ask what meaningful role Sarawak DAP can still play and what purpose it serves in the state.

At the same time, Yii expressed confidence that the Sarawak Government would not ignore policies that increase the financial burden on Sarawakians.

He urged the Sarawak Government to study appropriate assistance measures to offset, as much as possible, the impact of the Federal policy.
“If the Federal Government reduces subsidies that rightfully belong to Sarawakians, the Sarawak Government should actively explore using its own financial capacity and resource advantages to make up the shortfall so that the people of Sarawak do not have to bear additional burdens because of Federal policies.”

He said the issue once again demonstrates that major policies affecting Sarawakians’ interests must ultimately be safeguarded by local political forces that place Sarawak’s interests first.