KUCHING: Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has called for Sarawak to be exempt from the targeted RON95 petrol subsidy, even if it is implemented nationwide.
During the Budget 2025 debate at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 5), Chong acknowledged the government’s efforts to control spending through targeted subsidies but pointed out Sarawak’s unique contributions to federal revenue.
He stressed that Sarawak’s oil resources significantly boost federal revenues and have increasingly bolstered the state’s income through petroleum royalties and sales taxes.
“Yet, ordinary Sarawakians do not get to enjoy the benefits of this natural resources from our own state. A lower pump price for RON95 is thus justifiable for Sarawakians in Sarawak.
“Therefore, it is my appeal that, at the very least, Sarawakians should enjoy a lower pump price in Sarawak. It is only fair to reciprocate by providing Sarawakians with lower-priced RON95 petrol,” he said.
He also called for a well-designed system to ensure that the subsidy reaches those who genuinely need it.
He also addressed the development expenditure allocated to Sarawak in Budget 2025, which stands at RM5.9 billion, or just 6.8 per cent of the RM86 billion total national development expenditure.
He said with Sarawak’s land size of 124,450 km2 which is 36 per cent of Malaysia’s total land size of 330,800 km2, Sarawak needs more development fund to catch up with the level of development between Sarawak and West Malaysia.
“Even if we go by the population, Sarawak has a population of 2.9 million as of 2022 which is approximately 9 per cent of the total 32 million population of the country.
“To be fair to Sarawak, the least percentage in development expenditure for Sarawak should be 9 per cent of the total development expenditure which is RM7.74 billion.
“We urge the government to adjust the budget proportionately,” he added.
