The Government has been urged to increase the targeted diesel quota for Sabah and Sarawak from the current 300 litres to 500 litres a month, following concerns that the existing allocation does not meet the needs of residents.
PKR vice-president Roland Engan said he had received numerous messages from friends in both states who claimed the 300-litre monthly quota was insufficient, particularly for those living in rural and interior areas.
He said the proposal deserved serious consideration as four-wheel-drive vehicles were often a necessity rather than a luxury for communities in Sabah and Sarawak because of difficult road conditions and long distances between villages.
“Yesterday, the Sabah delegate Junaidah Makku spoke about the 300-litre diesel quota. Friends from Sarawak and Sabah then messaged me saying even 300 litres is not enough. It should be 500 litres,” he said.
Roland, who is from Miri, said the importance of four-wheel-drive vehicles could be seen from his own experience travelling back to his hometown, which could take about eight hours using logging roads.
He stressed that many people in the two states relied on such vehicles because of the terrain and infrastructure in remote areas, rather than because they could afford more expensive vehicles.
“People in Sabah and Sarawak have four-wheel-drive vehicles not because they are rich, but because they need them,” he said.
Roland made the remarks during his winding-up speech at the PKR National Congress 2026 at the Melaka International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITC) here on Sunday.
He also proposed that the Government consider increasing the targeted allocation for both diesel and petrol to 500 litres a month as part of its broader reform agenda.
“Therefore, the reform and change now should be to implement 500 litres for diesel and 500 litres for targeted petrol,” he said.
The proposal reflects ongoing concerns over fuel costs and accessibility in Sabah and Sarawak, where residents in rural areas can face longer journeys and greater dependence on private vehicles due to geographical and infrastructure challenges.
