JOHOR BARU: Media practitioners are facing increasing difficulty carrying out their duties following the reduction of the Budi RON95 quota to 200 litres per month, says Gabungan Kelab Media Malaysia (GKMM).
Its president Mohamad Fauzi Ishak said the coalition, which comprises 14 media groups nationwide, has been receiving complaints from media personnel struggling to carry out their duties due to the reduced fuel quota.
"GKMM has received numerous complaints from media practitioners who need to travel long distances and commute daily to cover events, causing their 200-litre quota to be depleted well before the end of each month," he said on Friday (April 17).
"As such, GKMM is urging the government to grant a special exemption to registered media practitioners, including journalists, photographers and videographers, to continue receiving the 300-litre quota as before.
"This would help media practitioners carry out their duties more effectively and smoothly, while also easing their financial burden amid the current challenging cost increases."
Fauzi, who is also Johor Media Club president, said that while GKMM understands the ongoing challenges following the Middle East conflict, it hopes that the government will consider the request.
"GKMM recognises the rising costs and fuel subsidy expenditures borne by the government to ensure that the public continues to enjoy reasonable or lower prices, even though market prices have seen a sharp increase in a short period.
"However, the government’s decision to reduce the Budi RON95 quota to 200 litres per month, compared with the previous 300 litres, has begun to pose significant challenges for media practitioners in carrying out their duties in the field," he added.
