By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, July 26: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has clarified that while his ministry (KPDN) is responsible for regulating the distribution of diesel subsidies for commercial vehicles through the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS), individual assistance under Budi Diesel and Budi Agri-Komoditi fall under the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) purview.
“This has caused some confusion among the public. KPDN handles the distribution of diesel subsidies for commercial vehicles—that is our responsibility.
“But for individual assistance under Budi Diesel and Budi Agri-Komoditi, that is under the MOF,” he said in a press conference after the SKDS fleet card presentation ceremony at the Sandakan Sports Complex in Sabah today.
Meanwhile, responding to calls by several Sandakan representatives to align Budi Diesel eligibility with the Budi95 petrol subsidy, Armizan urged Sabah elected representatives to submit proposals through the State-level committee for consideration by the MOF.
He explained that this was because Budi Diesel and Budi95 did not involve commercial vehicles and do not fall under his ministry’s purview.
“They request that the same conditions be applied, namely being a citizen and having an active driving license, which is the condition for Budi95 Petrol, without the need to register the vehicle in the name of the individual as stipulated by the MOF for Budi Diesel.
“Considering that this issue does not involve commercial vehicles, I have asked them to channel the recommendation to the Sabah State Secretary because there is now a coordination platform between the Sabah and Sarawak State governments and the MOF at the federal level.” — DayakDaily
