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Datuk Shafie Apdal Must Bear Full Responsibility For The Severe Diesel Shortages That Has Caused Disruption In Transportation And Affected Economic Performance Press  Statement by Lim Guan Eng (Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal must bear full responsibility for the severe diesel shortages that has caused in disruption transportation and affected our country’s economic performance. Such mismanagement of the diesel shortage crisis is unforgivable as it has not only given a bad image to an oil-exporting country like Malaysia running out of diesel. More importantly it has resulted in unnecessary financial losses both to transport operators and businesses.  I have received numerous complaints all over the country of the severe shortage. Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang has brought up this issue in Parliament. DAP MP for Kuching Chong Chien Jen tried unsuccessfully to move a motion in Parliament on this but BN considered debating the Remuneration Bill to increase MPs allowances by 10% has more important business than diesel shortages. The government can not continue to close its eyes, shut its ears and close its mouth.  A Minister is elected to serve and bring benefits to the public. If his incompetence and policy failures cause losses to the public and the country then he should bear full responsibility by resigning. In this case there is clearly a policy failure by the Ministry of Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry as not only has the May quota for diesel has been used up but now even the June quota is to be released.   What is the use of having a monthly diesel quota if the quotas are not followed and it has to be released two months in advance? Worse the Minister is also incompetent when he refuses to take speedy action to resolve the diesel shortage crisis, which he knew to be serious when he had earlier released the May diesel quota of 227.4 million liters in April.  Such policy failures and incompetence that has caused financial losses to ordinary businesses and affected the country image and economy is unacceptable. As a first step to resolve the diesel shortage crisis, Datuk Shafie should resign as he has shown himself to be inadequate. DAP also regrets the inaction and silence shown by MCA and Gerakan Ministers who do not appear to sympathise with the plight faced by lorry operators, transportation companies and diesel users. (27/4/2005) * Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General