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[Updated] PM: Adequate measures taken before implementing targeted diesel subsidies

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has taken adequate measures and considered various aspects before implementing the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS), says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"We have taken adequate measures…," he told reporters after attending the Global Forum on Islamic Economics and Finance (GFIEF), adding that Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan would soon provide further details on the scheme.

SKDS is currently limited to public transport, including buses, taxis, and 23 types of commercial goods vehicles. 

On industry players' requests for the government to broaden the scope of the targeted subsidised diesel, Anwar said the matter could be recommended to the Transport Ministry and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai recently said FMM during a meeting with the Finance Ministry on April 19 had requested that the list be expanded to include all types of vehicles, as long as they were carrying goods for commercial purposes, in order to be eligible for it.

He said the list was "too limited" as companies with vehicles such as tankers carrying chemicals, construction materials, fertiliser, among others, would not be eligible for subsidised diesel. 

On May 21, Anwar was reported as saying that the government would continue providing diesel subsidies to traders who utilise diesel-based commercial vehicles to mitigate sudden increases in the prices of goods and services.

He said businesses in the list would continue to enjoy diesel at subsidised rates, as well as certain categories of fishermen.

The Finance Ministry on Monday announced a diesel subsidy aid programme involving a monthly allocation of RM200 for eligible individuals, as well as agriculture and commodity smallholders.

The eligibility criteria for the Budi Madani programme require applicants to be Malaysian citizens and own a private diesel vehicle registered with the Road Transport Department (RTD).

The vehicle must have valid road tax, and the annual income of the individual or their spouse must be RM100,000 or below, while luxury vehicles under 10 years old are excluded from eligibility.

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