Kuching: A total of 7,480 applications for the targeted BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) fuel subsidy for boat users in Sarawak have been submitted to the Federal Treasury office in Sarawak, the State Legislative Assembly was informed today. Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Henry Harry Jinep disclosed that out of these applications, 5,765 have been deemed eligible, while the remaining applications are still undergoing assessment.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Minister mentioned that his ministry is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the Treasury office to streamline the implementation of the program. Efforts have been ramped up to register private boat and longboat owners in coordination with the Divisional Resident Offices and District Offices. This initiative by the Sarawak government aims to ensure that rural and interior residents who are genuinely eligible can access the BUDI95 petrol subsidy.

Datuk Henry Harry Jinep was responding to an inquiry from Anyi Jana (GPS-Ngemah), who sought information on the measures being taken by the state government to facilitate the petrol subsidy initiative in rural areas. On October 13, the Ministry of Finance announced an expansion of eligibility for the BUDI95 subsidy to include registered boat users in Sarawak. This move is part of efforts to ensure that the benefits of BUDI95 are more widely accessible to the population.