PETALING JAYA: The government should postpone the floating of diesel prices and give sufficient time for the registration of the Budi Madani diesel subsidy programme, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng.
The MCA vice-president said that only two days ago, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan announced there were 410,000 private car owners, small farmers and smallholders in the country.
"However, only 60,000 have applied for the Budi Madani subsidy programme, which is only 14.6%," said Wee in a statement on Monday (June 10).
The subsequent announcement of diesel price floating, which saw a price increase of 55% from RM2.15 to RM3.35, had shocked the people, he added.
"The hasty move to float diesel prices by RM1.20 will have a disastrous impact on the market," he said.
Wee added that Budi Madani’s monthly RM200 payouts were barely enough to cover the increase.
"Those who want to apply for this RM200 will have to face stringent conditions, and the scheme has left out several important sectors," he said.
He also raised concerns of identity theft after receiving complaints from first-time applicants who found out that their companies had already been “registered” by others.
"With the lack of registration, insufficient subsidy, and potential data misuse, I’m worried that many who deserve assistance will be overlooked.
"Therefore, I call upon the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to immediately put a halt to this decision," said Wee.
”If the government still insists on floating diesel prices, I urge that the government consider gradually reducing subsidies to allow domestic diesel prices to rise slowly.
"This will give the people and businesses enough time to adapt and make the necessary preparations to minimise the harm and impact,” he added.
