GOVT READY TO CONSIDER EXTENDING BUDI95 TO SMALL PASSENGER BOAT OPERATORS

LABUAN, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The government is open to expanding the newly introduced BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative to benefit small-time passenger boat operators, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government principally does not see any obstacle in extending the scheme to those involved in passenger boat operations, as they too play a vital role in serving local communities, especially in rural and island areas.

“The government is willing to work with the Sabah and Sarawak state governments on this matter, as passenger boat operators are also among the groups heavily reliant on subsidised fuel to sustain their operations and livelihood,” he told reporters after visiting the Petronas petrol station in Jalan Pohon Batu here today.

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Amir Hamzah, who began his two-day working visit to Labuan today said that discussions with relevant state authorities would help identify eligible operators and ensure that the scheme is implemented fairly and efficiently without abuse.

“BUDI95 was designed to directly channel subsidies to those who truly need them, and if small passenger boat operators are included, this would further strengthen the objective of targeted assistance,” he said.

Amir Hamzah added that the initiative, which recorded RM3.7 million worth of RON95 purchases in just one day since its rollout, has already shown encouraging response from eligible groups such as members of the armed forces, police, and recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).

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He emphasised broadening the scheme to passenger boat operators would not only ease their operating costs but also indirectly benefit residents who rely on water transport as their daily mode of travel.

-- BERNAMA