Get alternatives to diesel, subsidies not necessary
No subsidies are needed if alternatives to diesel are available, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
“Find an alternative to diesel and you don’t need any subsidies. Why should we be talking about diesel when we have hydrogen?” he said after inaugurating the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference today.
He mentioned that Sarawak was actively investigating hydrogen as a sustainable energy option, aiming to lower its production expenses.
He was addressing the recent diesel price hike to RM3.35 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia starting Monday.
Abang Johari said that the Sarawak government, in partnership with Petronas, reduced the electricity needed to produce 1kg of hydrogen from 60kW/h to 38kW/h.
“This advancement aims to cut hydrogen production costs by 50% or more, significantly enhancing its viability and competitiveness as an energy source,” he said, reported Bernama.
Diesel continued to be priced at the subsidized rate of RM2.15 per litre in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
Yesterday Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan announced that starting today the price of diesel in Peninsular Malaysia will no longer be subsidised, but will instead float freely with market prices.
All retail stations in the Peninsula are now selling diesel at a fixed rate of RM3.35 per litre.
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