Sabah: The Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) is seeking diesel and petrol subsidy assistance for the state's tourism sector, particularly operators in island areas. Its minister, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, said the global fuel supply crisis has significantly affected tourism operators on the islands, resulting in a sharp increase in daily operating costs due to rising diesel and petrol prices.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, operators in the islands of Semporna have experienced a doubling of costs, previously spending around RM100,000, to transport tourists to resorts, diving sites, and surrounding islands. Resorts in these areas rely heavily on diesel generators because there is no electricity supply, adding to the financial burden on tourism operators.

Jafry stated that KePKAS plans to engage in discussions with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) and the Ministry of Finance to advocate for the inclusion of Sabah's tourism industry among sectors eligible for fuel subsidies. Currently, the tourism industry is not listed under the Subsidised Petrol Control System or the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS), managed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), as it is considered a commercial profit-driven industry.

On May 4, KPDN announced that registration for the SKDS had been opened to land goods transport vehicles in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan.