KUALA LUMPUR (March 26): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday announced that diesel purchases in East Malaysia, which are subsidised by the government, will be limited as part of efforts to prevent leakages.

Under the new regulation, light public transport, goods, and private vehicles will only be allowed 50 litres per purchase, while public transport and goods vehicles up to three tonnes will have a 100-litre limit. Vehicles over three tonnes will be limited to 150 litres per purchase.

"This is to ensure that the supply is available and can be distributed fairly and adequately to everyone. Without these adjustments, there is a risk of hoarding and smuggling, as has been detected in the past," Anwar said in a televised special address to the nation.

The diesel price in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan currently stands at RM2.15 per litre. In comparison, diesel pump prices in Peninsular Malaysia have jumped nearly 77% since March 11, when the government began adjusting domestic fuel prices in response to the persistent surge in the global oil market amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

In Peninsular Malaysia, the diesel price for the March 26-April 1 period is set at RM5.52 per litre.

On Thursday, Anwar said that while Sabah and Sarawak will continue to enjoy subsidised diesel at RM2.15 per litre, this will require vigilance and tighter controls with more effective enforcement.

He urged the public to understand that these temporary measures are necessary to protect the majority, acknowledging that they may cause some inconvenience.

Anwar also stressed of stricter enforcement, warning that all government agencies will act decisively against smuggling, which has previously caused losses of hundreds of millions of ringgit per month, and that every attempt at smuggling will face the full force of government machinery.