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Loke says will take responsibility in suit alleging diesel subsidy discrimination

KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has yet to receive a writ of summons from two people claiming discrimination in the government's move to exempt Sabah and Sarawak from diesel subsidy rationalisation.

He said he had not been informed about the summons and learned of it only through a statement by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali yesterday.

"If he files a suit, what can I do? We will face it. I haven't been informed yet.

"I only knew about it through Armizan's statement yesterday, where he mentioned that four people are being sued. But I haven't seen the writ of summons yet," he said at a press conference at the Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur DAP Ordinary Convention here today.

Loke said he would take responsibility as a minister.

"If they want to sue, that is their right. We will meet in court," he said.

Yesterday, Armizan confirmed that he had received a writ of summons seeking a declaration that the government had acted unconstitutionally in lifting diesel subsidies in Peninsular Malaysia, but not in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the summons was received three weeks ago and his office would consult the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.

The suit was filed at the High Court here by Azhani Marlan@Abd Halim, 47, and Mohd Hatta Sanuri, 48, as first and second plaintiffs, respectively.

They named Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who in his capacity as the prime minister and finance minister, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Armizan, Loke and the government as the first to sixth respondents.

They claimed that the government was unfair and discriminatory for not implementing the diesel subsidy nationwide.

Among their requests was a declaration that the decisions of all defendants in withdrawing the diesel subsidy were irrational, unreasonable, improper, illogical, unjust and unlawful.

However, Armizan was quoted as saying that in Sabah and Sarawak, the use of diesel vehicles was largely due to necessity rather than choice, mainly because of the road infrastructure and geography.

He added that the policy was not based on discriminatory action, but was due to the unique circumstances in Sabah and Sarawak.

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