Kuala lumpur: A total of 67.9 per cent of companies registered under the new sector expansion of the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) for the jeep and pickup categories are from Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He indicated that this figure includes 10,453 companies with 18,538 vehicles registered in these regions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the reported figure is part of the 15,388 companies involving 25,781 vehicles registered under the category nationwide since the expansion opened on July 3. The expansion of eligibility to the new sector is noted as one of the main improvements in the implementation of SKDS, which has received a positive response, demonstrating that most of the beneficiary companies are registered in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
"This initiative allows sole proprietorships and partnerships that use jeeps and pickups registered under the company's private use class to enjoy a RM300 diesel subsidy through the SKDS mechanism," Armizan stated to reporters after the SKDS fleet card handover ceremony to 15 companies during the Jom Malaysia Festival.
Armizan further explained that the other two sectors under SKDS include public land transport and land transport for consumer goods, with approved companies being able to obtain fleet cards from oil companies to purchase subsidised diesel. The ministry has urged eligible companies not yet registered under SKDS to apply via the MySubsidi portal.
He clarified that his ministry is responsible for regulating diesel subsidies for 35 types of commercial vehicles, while the individual category through Budi Diesel and Budi Agri-Komoditi falls under the Ministry of Finance's jurisdiction. Additionally, Armizan urged Sabah representatives to discuss views or suggestions regarding subsidy eligibility standardization for non-commercial categories with the Sabah State Secretary.
"We are aware that several matters have been raised by the representatives in Sandakan, such as the standardization of subsidy conditions for individuals and households involving Budi95 petrol and Budi Diesel," he said, emphasizing the coordination required between Sabah, Sarawak, and federal ministries.
Armizan concluded by assuring continued collaboration between his ministry, the Ministry of Finance, the Sabah and Sarawak State Governments, oil companies, and stakeholders to strengthen SKDS further.