KUALA LUMPUR: Eligible Malaysians began enjoying fuel cost savings on Saturday (June 27) as the early access phase of the Budi Madani Diesel (Budi Diesel) programme commenced, with the purchase of subsidised diesel at petrol stations across Peninsular Malaysia proceeding smoothly.
Under the early access phase in Peninsular Malaysia, subsidised diesel is sold at RM2.15 per litre using MyKad verification at participating petrol stations. The programme will be fully rolled out nationwide on July 1, with eligible Malaysians able to purchase subsidised diesel at RM2.10 per litre.
A check by Bernama at a petrol station along Jalan Tun Razak here found that the purchase of subsidised diesel using MyKad verification proceeded smoothly without any issues.
A motorist, Hazwan Nik Ismail, 28, said the process of purchasing diesel using MyKad was straightforward and took only a short time.
"The application process to obtain the diesel subsidy is also simple, as it can be completed online," he said.
In Kedah, the supervisor of a petrol station in Seberang Pendang, Mohd Faizal Ishak, said the station conducted two system tests on Friday (June 26) and Saturday to ensure transactions proceeded smoothly.
He said that as of 11am, nearly 10 eligible customers had successfully purchased subsidised diesel without any disruptions.
Meanwhile, durian orchard operator Ai Tean Ai Ching, 65, said the targeted Budi Diesel subsidy had greatly helped Malaysians cope with the rising cost of living.
"I only work at my orchard. Today, I purchased RM70 worth of diesel and received 32.56 litres. Without the subsidy, I would have had to pay RM132.51. This assistance has truly eased my financial burden,” he said.
In Perak, small-scale food trader Mohammad Fairuz Ramli, 46, said his four-wheel-drive vehicle was essential for collecting supplies and making deliveries, with his fuel expenses reaching nearly RM1,000 a week.
"With the government's introduction of this initiative, I can save around 30 to 40 per cent on my diesel expenses. The savings can be used to cover other operating costs of my business,” he said.
In Selangor, logistics company owner Muhammad Khoidin, 42, said his business had been given a new lease of life following the implementation of Budi Diesel, which has helped ease the financial burden caused by higher diesel prices.
"My small company’s operations were at risk of being severely affected. But now I can breathe a sigh of relief as the government has implemented the targeted subsidy mechanism,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Pahang, Marilyn Shi Ming, 42, said she had rarely used her four-wheel-drive vehicle because of the high cost of diesel.
"Previously, I would only start the engine and drive it for a short distance. Now I can take it on longer trips,” she said.
However, she hopes the government will reconsider the Budi Diesel quota mechanism, which is currently shared with the Budi RON95 quota.
In Kelantan, Mohd Asri Musa, 60, said the implementation of Budi Diesel had brought relief to diesel vehicle owners like himself who had been affected by the rise in diesel prices.
Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Mesra Pengguna Malaysia chairman Datuk Seri Haniff Omar said the targeted subsidy mechanism under the Budi Diesel programme was fairer and ensured that assistance reached those who genuinely qualified.
"The price difference between subsidised and unsubsidised diesel is quite significant. This assistance can help reduce the burden on users who have no choice but to rely on diesel-powered vehicles every day,” he said. - Bernama
