RON95 to be capped at RM2.08 for Sarawak
Chong: Fuel will be cheaper than in peninsula when targeted subsidy scheme implemented January 1
KUCHING: The price of RON95 will be capped at RM2.08 per litre for Sarawakians, even with the targeted subsidy scheme taking effect from Jan 1 next year, says Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Chong Chieng Jen.
“It is capped for everyone in Sarawak. That means all car owners in Sarawak enjoy the petrol subsidy like it is now,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Besides Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan are also excluded from the targeted fuel subsidy scheme and would also enjoy the RM2.08 cap.
Pointing out that the price of RON95 would not be floated like what would happen in Peninsular Malaysia, Chong pointed out: “Subsidy is given through the capping system for all Sarawakians.
“Once the targeted subsidy system starts in January next year, RON95 price in Sarawak will be lower than that in Peninsular Malaysia. This is a special consideration for Sarawak and Sabah.
“For the first time, there is something in Sarawak and Sabah which is cheaper than in Peninsular Malaysia. This never happened before during BN (Barisan Nasional)’s time.”
The Stampin MP said the targeted subsidy system was introduced because it would present huge savings for the government in terms of subsidy borne by the government.
According to him, the federal government has to introduce this targeted subsidy system to replace the current general subsidy system due to the dire state of its financial position caused by the previous government’s ‘corruption and misappropriation of funds’.
“However, in view of the special position of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, special consideration and preferential treatment are given.
“Labuan is treated in this case the same as Sabah because of the obvious geographical position of Labuan,” added Chong.
To a question, he said the policy on diesel would be announced by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) later.
“On diesel, please wait for MoF to announce.”
At a press conference in Putrajaya yesterday, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the new subsidy scheme would float the price of RON95 and see eligible recipients receiving between RM48 (motorcycle owners) and RM120 (car owners) every four months.
It would only be given to eligible motorcycle and car owners who are also recipients of the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH).
According to the minister, a total of 2.8 million people should benefit from the subsidy scheme, which would cost the government about RM65.4 million a month.
It is capped for everyone in Sarawak. That means all car owners in Sarawak enjoy the petrol subsidy like it is now.
Chong Chieng Jen