KUALA LUMPUR: The government is urging small traders and farmers to register for Budi Madani to avoid losing out on diesel subsidies.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh said that independent traders often register their businesses under personal names, rather than under a company which hinders the government's ability to detect them.
"My greatest concern before implementing this was about the individual owners of diesel vehicles like pick-up trucks and jeeps.
"Many of these vehicles are used by small traders who carry goods such as vegetables to markets, and these vehicles are often not registered as company assets but are under personal names.
"This was a significant issue because these small traders do not fall under the fleet card system, which requires company registration and a minimum number of vehicles," she said in an exclusive interview with the New Straits Times' Beyond The Headlines podcast.
Fuziah noted that over 100,000 individuals have registered under the Budi Madani scheme which should help many in absorbing the additional cost with the floating diesel price.
Furthermore, Fuziah said that Malaysians often have a cultural tendency to procrastinate and leave things until the last minute.
"Despite our repeated reminders and announcements prior to the roll out, our people still have a habit of leaving things to the last minute," she said.
She said her ministry has received complaints from certain school bus owners who fail to perceive the difference between pre and post-rationalisation of diesel subsidies.
"Some school buses were previously eligible for subsidised diesel despite being unregistered.
"However, following the rationalisation, there have been complaints that registering for the first time did not result in perceived benefits," she said.
Fuziah emphasised that the government is focusing more on essential goods for the benefit of all.
"In this rationalisation exercise, our primary focus is ensuring that essential goods are accessible and their transportation remains affordable.
"Luxury or non-essential items, like tourist buses for leisure travel, are not eligible for subsidies.
"While we recognise the public's desire for travel and leisure, these choices are not part of our subsidy framework," she said.
Previously, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government will intensify efforts to provide the public, especially farmers with a better understanding of the rationalisation of diesel subsidies.