KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — A sharp spike in diesel prices is forcing volunteer 4x4 teams, who provide a crucial lifeline to remote indigenous communities, to halt their aid missions, leaving vulnerable villages without essential supplies.

The cost of diesel has nearly doubled in just over a month, surging from around RM3 to RM6.02 per litre due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

This has made it prohibitively expensive for off-roading groups to conduct their humanitarian work, The Straits Times reported.

Off-roading enthusiast Frankie Chan, who leads a team delivering food and medicine to Orang Asli villages in the jungle, said the financial burden has become unsustainable.

“It’s tough. Filling up feels like a heartache,”  Chan said, noting that the cost to fill his truck's 80-litre tank has jumped from approximately RM240 to RM480.

“Our own members are facing difficulty, so how can we go out and help others?”

The issue extends beyond individual aid missions. The 4x4 community, a common sight during Malaysia's annual floods, often plays a vital role in bridging gaps in official relief efforts.

However, this essential service is now under threat.

The price surge follows the government's removal of blanket diesel subsidies for private users in Peninsular Malaysia in June 2024, a move intended to curb fuel smuggling.

While petrol remains subsidised for most, diesel vehicle owners now bear the full brunt of global market volatility.

This policy has sparked frustration among owners who argue against the public perception of 4x4s as mere luxury items or "road bullies."

“The idea that diesel is for the rich while petrol is for the ordinary public is not true,” said communications executive Farhan Iqbal, pointing out that many expensive petrol-powered cars still benefit from subsidised fuel.

The financial strain is forcing some owners to sell their trucks at a loss, while others are switching to more economical vehicles.

For volunteers like  Chan, the concern is less about personal finances and more about the vulnerable communities they can no longer reach.

“There are many NGOs (non-governmental organisations), but also many villages,” he warned. “This fuel problem will surely have an effect.”