Govt to defend diesel subsidy policy against legal challenge

 

Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said the government will defend its position as the policy was decided based on facts. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The government will defend its diesel subsidy scheme against a legal challenge seeking to declare it unconstitutional, the minister of domestic trade and cost of living, Armizan Mohd Ali, said today.

He said discussions are being held with the Attorney-General’s Chambers about further action on an application filed last month for a judicial review of the targeted subsidy policy.

The application was filed by two people, Azhani Marlan @Abd Halim and Hatta Sanuri, who seek a declaration that the government acted unconstitutionally in lifting diesel subsidies in West Malaysia but not in Sabah and Sarawak.

It is their right if they want to bring the matter to court,

 Armizan told reporters today, Harian Metro reported.

However, the government will defend its position as it is a government policy that has been decided based on facts.

Armizan said the basis of the suit was the perception that the government was unfair and discriminatory for not implementing the diesel subsidy simultaneously for the whole country.

He said the rationalisation of diesel subsidy was yet to be implemented in Sabah and Sarawak as the government wanted to measure the initiative’s effectiveness in Peninsular Malaysia.

He also said his ministry understands the usage of diesel in Sabah and Sarawak is mainly out of necessity, and not frivolity. 

The road infrastructure and geographical conditions there compel residents to use diesel vehicles,

 he said.

Armizan said some parties did not understand the difference in the price of goods and services between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak. 

We (Sabah and Sarawak) are actually burdened with a huge price difference compared with the peninsula,

 he said. - FMT