SHAH ALAM, Sept 4th: Even though Sabah and Sarawak are among the oil-producers in this country, their populations are also among the worst afflicted by the oil price hike.
As one of the three oil-producing states, MP for Bandar Kuching, Chong Chien Jen said the people of Sarawak and Sabah should have been able to enjoy the benefits of oil-related matters.
“Our profit should have been higher when the oil prices increased. Especially Sabah and Sarawak, considering we are one third of the states that produce oil. If we follow the trend, when oil prices are high, Petronas reaps high profits too. In fact, the people of Sabah and Sarawak should be able to enjoy these profits as well, but instead things are harder for us,” he told TV Selangor.
Chong further added that following the increased costs of transportations and goods, the after effects are significant.
The size area of the two states is a factor as well.
“Before the increase, cost of transportation is already far more expensive here than the Peninsula. For people in the rural area, most necessities are pretty costly. The impact of the hike is hitting those people really hard,” said Chong.
– FZL