JPJ Data Could Be Used To Determine Targeted Subsidy On Petrol

The Road Transport Department's (JPJ) database is one of the tools the government will utilise to identify targeted subsidy consumers for petrol.

Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), said his party had discussed the subject with the Ministry of Finance, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, and there was data from JPJ involving vehicles.

"In terms of the data (targeted subsidy), it is almost complete for us to present an opinion and submit the data to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) on how we can make this targeted subsidy," he said.

He stated that the JPJ database, for example, might be utilised for RON95 petrol subsidies because the government could identify people qualified based on the horsepower (cc) of the vehicle owned.

He stated that the suggested paper on targeted subsidies was earlier given at the Livelihood Action Council (NACCOL) meeting last Tuesday, which was headed by the prime minister.

"The Prime Minister has directed that the topic (targeted subsidy scheme) be investigated. But, for the time being, the government is sticking to its current policy of not withdrawing (subsidies) or raising tariffs that we believe will burden the people.

"So the policy will remain in place until the cabinet decides on that (targeted subsidy) later," he explained.