UPKO Women: Diesel subsidy vital amid Sabah’s development gaps

1 April 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) Women has expressed firm support for the government’s decision to maintain the diesel subsidy at RM2.15 per litre in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, as announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on March 26.

Its chief, Mohina Ronnie Sidom, said the move reflects the government’s awareness of the lived realities in Sabah, where communities continue to rely heavily on diesel-powered transport for economic activities and to navigate challenging road conditions.

She noted that any increase in diesel prices would disproportionately affect rural populations, further widening existing inequalities and raising the cost of living, particularly for those residing in remote areas.

“Not all Malaysians experience development equally. What may appear to be a general policy adjustment in urban centres can have severe and immediate consequences for rural communities in Sabah,” she said in a statement today.

Mohina added that Sabah has long been a significant contributor to Malaysia’s oil and gas sector, with its natural resources supporting national development for decades and benefiting other states across the country.

In this regard, she stressed the need to recognise persistent systemic inequalities, including gaps in infrastructure, development and access to basic necessities, which result in policy decisions having a greater impact on Sabahans compared to those in more developed regions.

Amid ongoing global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, she also called on Malaysians to remain united.

“In these tumultuous times, we must not allow our differences to divide us, but instead use them to strengthen our unity,” she said.