Not Ready for Diesel Price Hike, Says SAPP

8 April 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Chin Vui Kai, Information Chief of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), today criticised proposals to increase diesel prices from the current rate of RM2.15 per litre. He stressed that any move to adjust fuel prices is unacceptable as long as Sabah’s infrastructure and energy systems lag behind the level of development enjoyed in Peninsular Malaysia.

As a major oil and gas-producing region, he argued that Sabahans deserve a fair share of energy dividends. After 62 years of natural resources driving development that prioritised Peninsular Malaysia, he said it would be unjust for Sabahans to now bear the financial burden of the Federal Government.

Chin further explained that Sabah’s energy dependency structure differs significantly from that of the peninsular.

While Peninsular Malaysia benefits from electrified rail networks as an alternative, Sabah’s logistics and land transport sectors rely heavily on diesel. Many rural areas also continue to depend on diesel generators due to unstable electricity supply.

Any increase in diesel prices would drive up the cost of power generation, creating a ripple effect on both the public and small businesses.

He urged the Federal Government to first develop comparable infrastructure before implementing any diesel price alignment.

This includes establishing electric public transport networks and a stable energy grid. At the same time, he said the government must address price disparities between regions and ease the burden on Sabahans, who are already facing high housing costs and limited infrastructure.

Chin maintained that the RM2.15 per litre diesel price is a fundamental subsidy that must be preserved.

He described it as a responsibility the Federal Government must uphold until the “development debt” owed to Sabah’s infrastructure has been fully addressed.