Diesel subsidy rush: Over 18,000 apply online for extra 100 litres under new Budi scheme

PETALING JAYA, June 29 — The official Budi Madani portal has received more than 18,000 applications for an additional 100 litres of subsidised diesel per month from eligible owners of diesel-powered pickup trucks and SUVs as of 10pm yesterday.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the early implementation of Budi Madani Diesel (Budi Diesel), now in its second day, has proceeded smoothly without any technical issues.

“From yesterday until now, more than 40,000 transactions have been recorded involving users benefiting from the Budi Diesel programme,” he told reporters after inspecting the early implementation of Budi Diesel at NKVE, Damansara Bound Petronas petrol station, with Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican.

Amir Hamzah said applications for the additional quota can be submitted online through the official Budi Madani portal and that those requiring assistance can seek help from officers at Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) offices, Urban Transformation Centres (UTCs), as well as service counters provided by several oil companies.

He added that the government has also introduced a quota transfer facility for cases where the registered owner of a vehicle is not the actual user.

“For quota transfers, applications can be made through the same portal. We will ensure that the quota is transferred to the actual user,” he said.

He explained that once the transfer is approved, verification at petrol stations will be carried out using the identity card (IC) number of the user linked to the quota.

“The quota will be tagged to the new user’s IC. When it is used at a petrol station, the system will recognise that the quota has been transferred.

“However, the quota amount remains tied to the vehicle and can only be used by the individual designated under the transfer,” he said.

Amir Hamzah said no technical issues involving the system or petrol station operators have been reported so far, and the government will continue to focus on ensuring the initiative runs smoothly ahead of July 1.

The early implementation of Budi Diesel began yesterday in Peninsular Malaysia, with eligible users enjoying subsidised diesel at RM2.15 per litre under a flexible quota of up to 200 litres.

The subsidised price will be reduced to RM2.10 per litre starting this Wednesday. — Bernama