KUALA LUMPUR: Expanded government assistance for diesel users and students has offered relief to beneficiaries, who say the distribution mechanisms should be simple and accessible.
Businessman Mohammad Adib Mohd Khairi, 38, said the expanded Budi Diesel initiative would allow more family members to use diesel-powered vehicles interchangeably without worrying about exhausting their quota.
“Previously, only I was eligible for the subsidy, so all vehicle users had to be cautious, especially when fuel was running low.
“Hopefully, the transfer mechanism will be seamless and have fewer hiccups,” he said, adding that cash assistance could be considered instead of further fuel subsidies.
Freelance electrician CK Wong said quota transfers would be helpful, but the process should be easy to understand and access.
Trader Azmi Zakaria, 60, also called for a straightforward transfer process.
“It would be best if all the necessary documents could be submitted online on one platform. Users should be able to check how much of their quota is left and how to transfer it,” he said.
Business operator Saffri Kamaruddin, 48, said quota transfers would provide greater flexibility, particularly when the original recipient did not fully use the allocated quota.
He also called for a consolidated platform to facilitate the transfer process.
Software engineer Muhammad Sufyan, 35, said the expanded Budi Diesel initiative had allowed his family to once again consider using their pickup truck for orchard work.
“The quota transfer will also allow my father to use the vehicle more often, as he can refuel without concerns,” he said.
During the Malaysia Day celebrations, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Budi Diesel initiative would be improved with immediate effect.
Anwar also announced a one-off RM500 flight ticket assistance for new students at public universities, polytechnics and community colleges for the September/October intake.
Himpunan Advokasi Rakyat Malaysia chairman Brendon Gan Vinnten described the aid as a much-needed relief for incoming students, particularly those from lower-income and vulnerable households.
“For many, this RM500 subsidy will cover a significant portion of a one-way ticket for students.
“This initiative ensures that students from all corners of the country can embark on their academic journeys from day one without the anxiety of how they will get to their respective campuses,” he said.
Gan stressed the need for a clear and transparent distribution mechanism to ensure no student fell through the cracks.
“We must remember that many students from remote or rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak face severe digital connectivity issues.
“If the application process relies solely on complex online portals or requires upfront payment with delayed reimbursement, it will indirectly exclude the very lower-income students who need it most,” he said.
Gan also stressed the urgency of distributing the assistance as it applied to the immediate September/October intake.
“A direct voucher or discount system integrated at the point of purchase could be an effective approach,” he said.
