KOTA KINABALU: An inter-agency enforcement coordination steering committee has been activated with immediate effect to curb leakages and smuggling of controlled goods, especially diesel and petrol, following the hike in global fuel prices.<\/p>\n
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said this committee was formed after the cabinet meeting on March 11.<\/p>\n
He said with fuel prices still considerably low in Malaysia, the risk of leakages and smuggling continues to increase, more so in Sabah and Sarawak where the subsidy for diesel is still being implemented.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe black market is expected to grow more lucrative with this increasing gap of prices and subsidy,\u201d he said after launching the Sentuhan Kasih, Rahmah Sale and consumerism advocacy programme in Sembulan near here, Saturday (March 14).<\/p>\n
Compared to the price of diesel here, Armizan said Sabahans pay less than half the actual cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why we need to work with agencies such as security forces, the ministry, and other departments to curb and stop leakages and smuggling,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said that for Malaysia, it would have to fork out more to subsidise diesel and fuel if the global oil price continues to rise and remain unstable, a condition that calls for stricter enforcement and coordination among agencies to stop leakages and smuggling.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf not, the financial implications on the nation would be bad while subsidies, the national fiscal space as well as development funds and needs would be affected,\u201d Armizan said.<\/p>\n
Armizan said Sabah and Sarawak depended a lot on diesel, even for domestic use.<\/p>\n
He said various factors have been taken into consideration before the decision to allow Sabah and Sarawak to continue enjoying the diesel subsidy was made.<\/p>\n
\u201cSabah and Sarawak still require high usage of diesel domestically. The price comparisons and disparity with the peninsula, whereby prices of many goods and services in Sabah and Sarawak are still higher, which we are still unable to solve,\u201d said Armizan.<\/p>\n
With so much to bear in terms of price and cost of living which could also be due to logistical and geographical factors, that is why the federal government decided that it needs to continue with the diesel subsidy for Sabah and Sarawak,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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