Expedite biodiesel implementation to address fuel price hike, says Teresa

 The ex-plantation and commodities minister says replacing 20% of imported diesel with locally produced palm biodiesel will help reduce Malaysia's fuel import bill.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the government must review stalled depot construction projects across the country as they are needed to blend palm oil into the fuel supply on a large scale.

PETALING JAYA:

 Seputeh MP Teresa Kok urged the government today to expedite the implementation of palm-based B20 biodiesel to address the sharp increase in fuel prices caused by the Middle East war.

Kok, a former plantation and commodities minister, said that although the B20 biodiesel programme for the transport sector was launched six years ago by the then Pakatan Harapan government, its implementation has been repeatedly delayed.

She said replacing 20% of imported diesel with locally produced palm biodiesel would allow Malaysia to reduce its fuel import bill and create a buffer against price hikes.

“Today, the whole country is facing a cost-of-living crisis triggered by fuel prices due to the lack of political will to reduce dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels.

“(Therefore) I urge the finance ministry to immediately review and expedite financing plans as well as the construction of B20 biodiesel blending depots,” she said in a statement.

The DAP MP also said the finance ministry must urgently review stalled depot construction projects across the peninsula, Bintulu (Sarawak) and Sabah, which are needed to blend palm oil into the fuel supply on a large scale.

Her comments come as Malaysians face a diesel price of RM5.52 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia, which is set to affect sectors such as logistics, transport and agriculture.

However, diesel in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan is currently priced at RM2.15 per litre, less than half the price in Peninsular Malaysia. - FMT