KUCHING: The Budi Diesel initiative will be improved with immediate effect, including expanding the transfer of quotas, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the quota of subsidised diesel can now be transferred to any eligible Malaysian citizen and is no longer limited to immediate family members.
In addition, registered owners of more than one diesel vehicle can transfer their quota for each vehicle, up to a maximum of three vehicles.
“The government decided on these improvements after hearing feedback from diesel vehicle owners. They will take effect immediately,” he said.
The Prime Minister also announced a one-off flight ticket purchase assistance of RM500 to new students at public universities, polytechnics and community colleges for the September/October intake.
“This is expected to benefit 7,095 students who need to take domestic flights between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan to start their studies,” he said at the Malaysia Day celebration here last night.
The Prime Minister also said the Federal Government will increase Sarawak’s interim payment to RM1.5bil while negotiations continue on a formula to review the state’s special grant under Article 112(D) of the Federal Constitution.
“The interim payment to both states was increased from RM300mil to RM600mil while negotiations were ongoing to review the special grant. Then, we increased it to RM1.5bil for Sabah.
“For Sarawak, the state’s financial position is strong but we will also increase it to RM1.5bil in the spirit of friendship,” Anwar said.
He said calls for isolationism, narrow-mindedness or tribalism must be rejected or they would tear apart the nation.
He said thankfully, the majority of Malaysians understood the importance of unity.
“We must not allow racial or tribal sentiments to take over national interests. We all share a pledge to build a nation that is inclusive for all,” he said.
Anwar also said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 was not a matter for Sabah and Sarawak only, but a national agenda that must be resolved at the national level.
“To me, this is about fulfilling promises made by our forefathers and ensuring fairness, as Sabah and Sarawak were lagging behind in development,” he said.
Anwar added that complex matters under MA63 continued to be negotiated by the Federal Government, Sabah and Sarawak as friends.
“I appreciate and I’m touched by the friendship of Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.
