Penang Garbage Truck Operators Association president Arif Ibrahim speaking to the press during a press conference held after a peaceful protest at outside the Seberang Perai City Council (Jawi Branch) in Butterworth, Penang.
BUTTERWORTH: Lorry owners need clarification about the diesel subsidy as only some of their vehicles qualify for the aid.
The Penang Garbage Truck Operators Association said that while their rigid lorries (waste) qualify for the subsidy, their Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) lorries do not.
Its president, Arif Ibrahim, said their expenses have increased drastically.
"We are confused as they are the same lorry, but the classifications changed a few years ago.
"We are private lorries that make our money off trips from collecting waste from factories, residences and other establishments," he said during a peaceful protest held outside the Seberang Perai City Council (Jawi Branch) on Wednesday (June 19).
Arif said the members have now decided to collectively raise their charges to meet their increased expenses since the diesel subsidy was implemented.
"It is the only way to help us manage expenses as many of our lorries did not qualify for the subsidy.
Arif said the lorry owners are asking the government to include RoRo lorries in the list of qualified vehicles to relieve diesel subsidies.
"Some of us have two or three lorries, and only one qualifies for the subsidy.
"This means that we pay 55% more for a full tank for the lorries that do not qualify for the subsidy.
"A full tank for a three-tonne lorry used to be RM150, but now it is more than RM200, and it can only last a day of work," he said.
