KLANG (June 8): The government will intensify efforts to provide better understanding to the public, especially farmers, on the rationalisation of diesel subsidies, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said. 

He said the first thing to clarify is that applications for the targeted diesel subsidy are not limited to the Budi Agri-Komoditi scheme alone.

“They need to be informed of the criteria and other schemes that can be applied for. For instance, if they or their company have vehicles for transporting goods, they can also apply for assistance through the Subsidised Diesel Regulation System Pilot Project 2.0, which covers 23 types of vehicles that are still priced at current rates.

"So, there is no issue of their costs increasing, or a need to raise prices, because prices will remain the same as now,” the minister told a press conference, after a meet-and-greet and question-and-answer session with target groups, at the Budi Madani Agro-Komoditi Open Day here on Saturday.

Also present was Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who is better known as Mat Sabu.

Meanwhile, Amir Hamzah said Budi Madani had received a total of 60,000 applications so far, of which 30,000 were approved, covering individuals, farmers and small-scale commodity growers.

They will receive cash subsidy assistance through the initiative next Monday.

To assist farmers, the government is also discussing the targeting of subsidies for agricultural equipment that uses diesel, Amir Hamzah added.

Meanwhile, Mat Sabu said that the ministry is open to receiving any complaints or suggestions from farmers regarding the implementation of the initiatives to ensure they are carried out effectively.

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