PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden today questioned why those who wish to receive diesel subsidies must register with the Budi Madani Subsidy Aid Programme (Budi).
This is despite Malaysians having been told to register themselves on the Central Database Hub (Padu) earlier for subsidies, the Alor Setar MP pointed out in a statement on Facebook.
“The other day, people were told to register with Padu. The minister said that those who do not register for Padu will be left out, will not get government assistance, will not get subsidies. So there are many who registered on Padu.
“Suddenly today, the government announced that eligible citizens must register through Budi to get a subsidy of RM200 per month.
“Then what happens to the Padu data? Why not use it to get this subsidy? Why do people have to register again?” he said.
Last night, the Finance Ministry said eligible recipients will receive RM200 monthly in line with the targeted diesel subsidy.
Owners of private diesel vehicles may apply through the Individual Budi category while smallholders may apply through Agro-Commodity Budi, it said.
At the same time, a separate statement from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said qualified smallholders must register using the GeoAgro System before applying for aid on the Budi website.
Meanwhile, Afnan said that many smallholders will not be able to claim the subsidy as the criteria calls for annual agricultural sales between RM50,000 and RM300,000.
“That’s not enough, the farmer must have an income of at least RM4,166 a month! Or RM50,000 a year! (To qualify for the subsidy you must have an income of RM50,000 to RM300,000 per year, that’s what they announced).
“If you are the boss, then it’s easy to get that amount. But for the farmer in the village who sells in the morning market, in town, on the side of the road, it is not easy to get that amount. There are even some who never get that amount a month.
“The question is, who actually greatly benefits from this subsidy targeting? The big boss or the labourer in the village?” he said.
Right hand not talking to left?
Besides that, he asked whether the Finance Ministry and Economy Ministry were on the same page.
He referred to a Parliamentary reply from Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, in which he said Padu would be a system across all ministries to issue subsidies and other aid to Malaysians.
“Didn’t you discuss this between the finance minister and the economy minister?
“Why don’t you guys have a WhatsApp group? Or has the economy minister left the WhatsApp group?” he asked.
He also asked why smallholders have to register again with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
The Finance Ministry announced yesterday that smallholders must be registered with the relevant agencies under the relevant ministries to qualify for the diesel subsidy.
On May 21, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, announced that the government plans to end blanket subsidy for fuel that benefits both the ultra-rich and foreigners.
Instead, the government will implement targeted subsidies, which are expected to generate savings of RM4 billion per year.
Anwar said the government will continue to subsidise diesel for 10 types of public transport and 23 types of vehicles used to transport goods.
This is meant to curb a sudden increase in prices of goods and services once the blanket subsidy is withdrawn.
He also assured that the savings generated will be returned to the people as increased financial assistance. - Mkini
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