By Amanda L
KUCHING, June 24: The government has clarified that applications under the Budi diesel programme will remain open indefinitely as the system is designed to accommodate changes in vehicle ownership and ensure continuous eligibility for qualified users.
Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the open-ended application structure is intended to ensure fairness, particularly for individuals who may only become eligible after acquiring a qualifying diesel vehicle at a later stage.
“Eligibility is not static, as vehicle ownership can change over time, making a continuous application system more practical compared to a fixed deadline model.
“We do not want to make this a one-time offer. A person may not own a diesel vehicle today, but may purchase one in the future, so the system must allow them to apply when they become eligible,” he said during a press conference following a briefing on diesel subsidy rationalisation held here today.
Amir said the approach ensures that no eligible user is excluded simply due to timing, while maintaining the principle that benefits are tied strictly to qualifying vehicle ownership.
He added that the system is designed to be flexible and responsive to real-world changes in ownership patterns, while still maintaining verification safeguards to prevent misuse.
“The base principle is fairness. Whoever has a qualifying vehicle will be eligible as long as they apply,” he said.
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) stated that the Budi diesel programme is part of a broader subsidy rationalisation framework to improve targeting efficiency for eligible groups, adding that the mechanism will be continuously monitored and refined based on implementation data and feedback. — DayakDaily
