By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 27: The federal government must ensure that rural communities in Sarawak who depend on outboard boat motors and chainsaws are able to enjoy RON95 petrol at the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre, even if they do not hold a driving licence.
Senator Abun Sui Anyit stressed that for many living in the interior, petrol is not used for private vehicles but is instead a daily necessity for river transport and economic activities.
The cost of running outboard motors on boat, he pointed out, is significantly higher and more burdensome than using petrol for cars in urban areas.
“I have raised this matter with the government during an engagement session with members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. A comprehensive solution must be found immediately so that rural groups are not left behind from enjoying the benefits of BUDI Madani RON95 (BUDI95),” Abun Sui said in a statement today.
He urged the government to introduce a special mechanism that would enable critical users in the interior, such as boat operators and chainsaw users, to access subsidised RON95, regardless of whether they possess a driving licence.
In this effort, he said, Sarawak’s district offices should play a key role by submitting practical proposals to the government to ensure that the Madani administration’s good intentions truly reach all layers of society without room for manipulation or abuse.
“Fuel costs for river transport in Sarawak are higher than for cars in the cities. That is why they must not be excluded from BUD95,” he emphasised.
Abun Sui, who is also the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Hulu Rajang division chief, reiterated that BUDI95 must be implemented fairly across the nation, especially for the most affected groups in Sarawak’s rural and riverine communities.
The Budi95 scheme, which will be implemented nationwide on Sept 30, allows eligible Malaysians to buy subsidised RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre up to 300 litre a month, after which the unsubsidised retail price, currently set at RM2.60/L, will apply. — DayakDaily
