KOTA KINABALU: The Budi Diesel initiative, which will be improved with immediate effect, including through the expansion of quota transfers, will only achieve its intended objective if there is strong support on the ground, says Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (pic).
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) said local leaders and grassroots networks must be strong enough to ensure the subsidy reaches those who are truly eligible.
“Grassroots leaders are those closest to the people on the ground, and they truly know who is who, where is where, and who is eligible and vice versa.”
Given the geographical realities of Sabah and Sarawak, Mustapha said relying solely on online portal data was insufficient, particularly for those without reliable telecommunications access.
He proposed expanding mobile counter services in collaboration with local leaders, district offices, the Finance Ministry and relevant agencies.
“This way, we can reduce the number of people left out of the improved diesel subsidy simply because they did not receive the updates, do not understand the procedures or are hampered by limited digital access.”
Mustapha said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of the improvements during the Malaysia Day celebration in Sarawak was a sign of goodwill and the federal government’s commitment to addressing people’s concerns.
He said it showed that the federal government was listening, understood the issues and was willing to do its best for the well-being of the people.
The government has announced that registered owners of more than one diesel vehicle can also transfer the diesel subsidy quota allocated to each vehicle, up to a maximum of three vehicles.
