Kota Kinabalu: Sabah will experience the targeted petrol subsidy scheme for the first time when the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS) begins Sept 30, but only 11,101 vehicles nationwide have registered so far out of an estimated 100,000 eligible.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said Sabah is a key focus since the State was not included under the earlier Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS).
She urged transport operators, especially small businesses like taxis and delivery vans, to register quickly or risk paying full pump prices once the scheme kicks in.
“We don’t want them to be caught off guard simply because their fleet cards are not ready,” she told reporters during an inspection of preparations at Petronas Penampang 1 station, here, Thursday.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is responsible for managing the scheme, including approving registrations for eligible vehicles.
The process is done online, but once approved, applicants must complete a second step with participating oil companies to collect their fleet cards.
Between Sept 15 and 24, a total of 4,412 companies registered 11,101 vehicles under SKPS, but Fuziah noted the overall take-up remains low.
The scheme covers 21 categories of land public transport and goods carriers.
Card issuance by oil companies takes between five and 14 days depending on the type applied for.
Fuziah warned that last-minute applications could overwhelm the system and delay card delivery.
“Raising awareness early is important to ensure smooth implementation in Sabah,” she said.
She added that without a fleet card, operators would have no choice but to pay unsubsidised pump prices once the programme starts.
