SANDAKAN: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will continue to review additional needs in the implementation of the Budi Madani RON95 (BUDI95) fuel subsidy programme, which takes effect on Sept 30.
Its Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Fuziah Salleh said this includes extending BUDI95 to non-land public transport such as passenger boats, motorised sampans and boats used by students commuting to school and villagers in remote areas.
She said the proposal stemmed from an engagement session, chaired by Second Finance Minister Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, with MPs on Sept 25, where concerns were raised to ensure BUDI95 benefits all groups.
“In areas near Sandakan, for example, two schools - SK Mumiang and SK Tanjung Aru – at Pulau Abai have been identified as using passenger boats. There are also schools in Beluran categorised as “Pedalaman Tiga” (remote area schools),” she told reporters after inspecting preparations for BUDI95 implementation at the Shell Batu 4 petrol station, here, Saturday.
Fuziah said KPDN has made detailed preparations to roll out the Petrol Subsidy Control System (SKPS) under the BUDI95 initiative.
Between Sept 15 and 26, SKPS registered 5,829 companies involving a total fleet of 13,800 vehicles nationwide.
Oil companies have also confirmed readiness in terms of pump equipment and payment systems at terminals and counters.
She said KPDN has given flexibility to companies to determine quota distribution through the use of fleet cards.
“We are confident that retargeting petrol subsidies under SKPS will reduce leakages and abuse at petrol stations, while preventing excessive hikes in prices of goods and public transport fares,” she said, adding that savings from curbing subsidy leakages would help strengthen national fiscal management and redirect subsidies towards development expenditure.
To ensure smooth implementation, KPDN will open SKPS Customer Service Counters at all state and branch offices starting Sept 28 in states observing Sunday as a working day, and Sept 29 elsewhere.
The counters will operate for one week.
Officers will be fully briefed on the differences between the two mechanisms: Budi Madani Individu95 at RM1.99 per litre via MyKad, and Budi Madani MySubsidi95 @ SKPS at RM2.05 per litre via fleet card.
Enquiries relating to Budi Madani Individu95 using MyKad can also be directed to the Finance Ministry at [www.budi95.gov.my/contact-us](http://www.budi95.gov.my/contact-us).
Fuziah further clarified that motorists will not be required to produce their driving licence when purchasing subsidised fuel under BUDI95, as the Road Transport Department (RTD) system can already verify whether the MyKad holder has a valid licence.