PM: 85% of Malaysians, including fishermen and school bus operators, benefit from subsidised diesel rates

KOTA BHARU, April 18 — About 85 per cent of Malaysians continue to benefit from government-subsidised diesel rates and are not affected by market pricing, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister noted that only around 15 per cent of the population feels the impact of rising diesel prices linked to the global energy situation.

“I reviewed the data yesterday. Higher diesel prices do have an effect, but on whom? Fifteen per cent of the people. The remaining 85 per cent are still using subsidised diesel, not market rates.

“However, the focus tends to be on the 15 per cent who are affected, while the majority is often overlooked,” he said at the opening of the new terminal at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) today.

Also present were Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, explained that the government provides exemptions within the transport sector, including for school buses and selected strategic transport lorries.

Addressing concerns raised at a state assembly, he dismissed claims that fishermen are impacted by market diesel prices, stressing that they continue to receive subsidised fuel.

“Fishermen use subsidised diesel, not market-priced diesel. That example should not be used,” he said.

In a separate update, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that subsidised RON95 under the BUDI Madani (BUDI95) programme remains at RM1.99 per litre for April 16 to 22.

Meanwhile, unsubsidised fuel prices saw a decline, with RON95 and RON97 reduced by 25 sen per litre to RM4.02 and RM5.10 respectively, and diesel dropping by 75 sen to RM5.97 per litre for the same period. — Bernama