SANDAKAN: Sabah and Sarawak should be excluded from the government’s intention to withdraw existing petroleum subsidies for targeted subsidies in the near future.

Sabah Truck Transport Association President, who is also Sabah Transport Cooperative Berhad Chairman, Chua Pui Ming, said as a productive oil and gas producing state, returns do not match the income and Sabah remains the poorest state.

“The economic development and infrastructure construction of other states have benefited from the resources of Sabah and Sarawak and are already strong and stable.

“Sabah and Sarawak still need subsidies for petroleum products to achieve positive economic and infrastructure development,” he said.