KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The government has agreed in principle to extend the RON95 petrol subsidy to public passenger boat operators, either through the BUDI MADANI RON95 initiative (BUDI95) or the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS), subject to a mechanism that will be announced later.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the decision followed yesterday’s Cabinet meeting after discussions with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and related agencies.
He said the government was mindful of the needs of people who rely on boats as their main mode of transport, particularly in island and river areas in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as some parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
“In principle, this will apply to boats registered under citizens or locally incorporated companies.
“The government is working with state agencies, including the Sarawak Rivers Board and the Sabah Ports and Harbours Department (JPDS), to identify registered boat owners,” he told reporters after launching the 2025 Buy Malaysian Products Campaign (KBBM) with the Malaysian Bumiputera Designers Association (MBDA) in conjunction with ‘My Gaya Month’.
As an interim measure, public passenger boat operators may claim cash rebates for petrol purchases by submitting official receipts.
The Appeals Committee under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) has also been reactivated with an expanded scope to cover SKPS, to consider issues such as claims from boat operators.
“This committee will review cases not yet covered and assess applications. Through this platform, operators can submit appeals, and the government will determine the most suitable mechanism,” he said.
Yesterday, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government was open to extending BUDI95 to small passenger boat operators, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, as their services are vital to rural and island communities.
-- BERNAMA
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