WITH diesel now priced at RM6.02 per litre, motorists who are using diesel-powered vehicles but aren’t eligible for subsidies are feeling the strain, forcing them to cut back on spending.
Some say they plan to reapply for the Budi MySubsidi Diesel cash assistance, which has been increased from RM200 to RM300.
Small-time trader Mohd Fikri Ali, 34, who drives a four-wheel-drive vehicle, said the lack of subsidy made him more cautious with his daily expenses, especially as fuel was a key cost when transporting goods.
“What we can do now is conserve fuel, plan our routes more efficiently and avoid unnecessary trips,” said the fruit trader, adding that he now consolidated deliveries and sourced supplies from nearer locations to keep costs down.
He said the higher diesel price had also reduced his profit margins, forcing him to be more careful with spending and inventory.
He intends to reapply for the Budi Madani cash assistance under the diesel subsidy rationalisation programme.
Lorry driver Mohd Azlan Rahim, 62, said that since he did not qualify for subsidised diesel, he had to bear the full impact of rising fuel prices, which had significantly increased his operating costs.
He said that he would most likely have to pass part of the additional cost on to his clients to stay afloat.
“The fuel expenses now take up a much larger share of my earnings.
“The increase has made it more difficult to maintain competitive rates, as raising charges could risk losing customers, but absorbing the higher costs is no longer sustainable,” he said at a petrol station in Butterworth.
Construction site project manager Safwan Ibrahim, 32, who also drives a four-wheel-drive vehicle, said the absence of subsidies meant he had to absorb the higher fuel costs.
“Everything comes out of my own pocket now, so I have to be more mindful of how often and how far I drive.
“It definitely adds pressure to my monthly expenses,” he said, adding that he had started adjusting his travel and work routines to manage the higher fuel costs.
The retail price of diesel in peninsular Malaysia has gone up by 50sen to RM6.02 per litre, while the price in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan remains unchanged at RM2.15 per litre from April 2 to April 8.
The prolonged Middle East conflict has pushed global crude oil prices up by more than 40%, surpassing US$100 per barrel and raising concerns over supply disruptions.
