Kenal pasti pengguna perlu lebih diesel sebelum naik kuota, kata ahli ekonomi

A Malaysian economist has urged the government to determine which users truly need more subsidized diesel before raising the subsidy quota to 500 liters monthly in Sabah and Sarawak. Dr. Tan Peck Leong, from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), suggested that existing data could help the government decide whether a higher subsidy quota is truly necessary and who should receive it.

Currently, the government provides 200 liters of free diesel in addition to the 100 liters that can be requested, but around 71,000 out of 120,000 eligible pickup and jeep owners in Sabah have reportedly not applied for the additional amount. He stated that without clear data on actual demand, it is difficult to determine if a higher subsidy quota is needed.

Rosli Khan, a member of the Opposition's Planning Committee, disagreed with the proposed nationwide increase in diesel subsidies, arguing that it should be based on individual needs rather than location or fuel consumption alone. He emphasized that high fuel consumption does not necessarily indicate high income, as it could involve high-income individuals with multiple large-engine vehicles, as well as business owners, construction companies, and logistics managers.

The ministry's Smart Transportation System 2030 plan notes that traffic congestion in the Klang Valley increases diesel consumption by around 29% in peak hours in 2023, according to TomTom Traffic Index data. Tan stressed that any subsidy increase should be based on actual usage patterns, not just political demands. He recommended that the government first identify the number of consistent users of 300 liters and determine specific areas with higher fuel needs before deciding on a subsidy increase.

He acknowledged that those who frequently cross the Sabah and Sarawak backwaters may use more diesel than city dwellers, and that monthly consumption of 300 liters is generally sufficient for daily commuting or low-speed rural roads, but high-fuel consumption during frequent long-distance travels can significantly increase fuel usage.

However, frequent high-fuel usage is not a daily occurrence. From an economic perspective, it is challenging to provide a uniform 500-liter subsidy quota to every driver in Sabah and Sarawak, Tan concluded.