KUALA LUMPUR – An opposition lawmaker has questioned the RM200 flat rate for the individual diesel subsidy without taking into account the size of households.
Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan should explain the government’s rationale for giving RM200 monthly under the Budi Madani initiative, when there are differences in lifestyle and consumption patterns.
“Why is the RM200 given at a flat rate without considering eligible users’ income level, purpose of use, locality and distance, as well as the type and power of their vehicle engine?,” the PAS lawmaker said in a statement.
Syahir gave a hypothetical scenario involving a “Mr Rafizi” and a “Mr Lim” who have similar incomes, vehicle models, and travel a similar distance from their homes to their workplaces, but have different numbers of children.
He then questioned if both men would receive petrol subsidies at a flat rate or according to their needs and responsibilities.
Syahir also questioned what was the purpose of having people give their personal details to the Budi Madani programme and earlier, to the Central Database Hub (Padu) system, if a flat rate for individual diesel subsidies are given.
He asked if requiring people to give their personal details was part of a ruse to obtain more information on voters.
“I raise these questions as the people have started to wonder about the real motive of Padu and Budi’s data collection. Is it to target subsidy aid or to target voters’ private data?” he asked.
The government yesterday raised the price of diesel to RM3.35 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia, in effect withdrawing blanket subsidies for all.
Amir Hamzah, in announcing the diesel price hike, said the RM200 aid under Budi Madani was determined based on Statistics Department data, and is projected to be enough for around 80% of individual diesel users.
He said vehicle owners are allowed to appeal if they find the cash aid insufficient to cover the unsubsidised diesel price.
The retail price for diesel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan remains at RM2.15 per litre, which is also maintained for eligible vehicles in the transportation and logistics sector through a fleet card mechanism.
The government also intends to withdraw blanket subsidies on RON95 fuel, although no date has been announced yet. – June 11, 2024