By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, July 24: Sarawak is seeking a more practical diesel subsidy mechanism under the BUDI Programme to reflect the State’s rural transport realities, including a separate quota for e-hailing operations and support for four-wheel-drive operators serving remote areas.
In a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), Minister for Transport (MOT) Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the proposals will be submitted to the federal government following feedback from 60 e-hailing and p-hailing drivers, as well as representatives from various agencies during an engagement session.
“The purpose of this session is to provide drivers with an opportunity to raise questions directly with the relevant agencies, while also hearing their suggestions so that the issues can be clarified and brought to the attention of the responsible authorities,” he said after chairing the E-Hailing and P-Hailing Services Engagement Session at Imperial Hotel here today.
Lee said the current diesel subsidy mechanism does not fully account for the operational needs of transport operators in Sarawak, especially those serving rural and interior areas.
He said e-hailing drivers have proposed that the monthly 200-litre diesel subsidy quota for personal use be separated from the quota used for e-hailing operations.
He added that Sarawak’s vast geographical landscape and long travel distances require a different policy approach from that adopted in Peninsular Malaysia.
According to Lee, the proposed changes would allow the federal government to consider a more suitable mechanism that safeguards the welfare of e-hailing and p-hailing drivers.
He said that while most of the issues raised fall under federal jurisdiction, his ministry will coordinate all proposals before submitting them to the relevant ministries and agencies for further consideration.
Lee added that his ministry has also raised the diesel subsidy issue with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and hopes the feedback received will help the federal government reassess the policy based on the actual needs of transport operators in Sarawak.
Also present were representatives from KPDN, the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom), the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP), and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), who provided clarification on issues raised by participants. — DayakDaily
