Targeted Diesel Subsidy Rollout Date & Mechanism to Be Announced Soon – PMX

PMX affirms that the implementation date and mechanism for the targeted diesel fuel subsidy are set to be announced soon.

The implementation mechanism and rollout date for the targeted diesel fuel subsidy will be announced in the near future, said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysian Second Finance Minister YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan

Talking to Bernama yesterday, Anwar said that the detailed mechanism and rollout date will be explained and presented by the Second Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. This comes after Anwar, who acts in his capacity as the First Financial Minister of Malaysia, has already given an overview of this diesel fuel subsidy beforehand.

“Some people ask why? Not all prime ministers do it. If I give the big picture and framework, then there will be follow-up action,” Anwar said.

Prior to this, the Cabinet has agreed to implement the targeted diesel fuel subsidy, which can help the government save around RM4 billion annually, starting with Peninsula Malaysia, while Sabah and Sarawak are to be excluded for now. Besides the Ministry of Finance (MoF), other ministries like the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will also be involved in this targeted subsidy implementation.

KPDN Minister YB Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali

According to the KPDN minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the KPDN team is patiently waiting for the government’s announcement of the implementation date before carrying out the rationalisation programme.

The KPDN ministry will be directly involved in implementing several measures to ensure that no parties are taking advantage of inflating the prices of price-controlled goods after the diesel fuel adjustment has been announced. Prior to this, the ministry also announced that the subsidy had been expanded to include 14 more vehicle types, bringing the total number of eligible commercial vehicles to 23.

Apart from both the MoF and KPDN, other ministries involved in this subsidy implementation include the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK), as well as the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP).

Source: Bernama