Act now or parents pay: MCA urges fast-track school bus fuel subsidies

 

THE government must urgently expedite fuel subsidy approvals for school bus operators nationwide to prevent fare hikes that would directly impact parents.

According to MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, delays in processing applications under the Subsidised Petrol Control Scheme (SKPS) risk triggering a “chain reaction” that would ultimately burden the rakyat.

“Parents will be the first to feel the impact if fares are increased. The government must act swiftly to prevent this from happening,” he said.

The Federation of Malaysian School Bus Associations has warned that fares may be raised as early as next month if the subsidy issue remains unresolved.

The association noted that applications for the monthly subsidised quota of 800 litres have yet to receive approval, while some operators who were approved have not been issued fleet cards.

The Tanjung Piai MP further stressed that operators are not arbitrarily raising fares but are struggling with rising operational costs and delays in subsidy implementation.

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (Image: The Star)

“This is not about unreasonable fare increases. Operators are under real pressure due to rising fuel costs and delays in receiving the support they were promised,” he said.

He added that the association had submitted applications twice—in January and March—requesting a monthly quota aligned with subsidies granted to taxi and e-hailing drivers, but has yet to receive a response.

“These are longstanding issues that require immediate resolution. Delays in approvals and the failure to issue fleet cards are unacceptable,” he said.

Wee also criticised the gap between policy announcements and on-the-ground execution, saying operators are being left to deal with uncertainty and bureaucratic delays.

“The government cannot ask the rakyat to endure hardship while failing to respond to legitimate concerns from the ground. This reflects a disconnect between policy and implementation,” he said.

While acknowledging that global energy prices are beyond government control, Wee said authorities must focus on measures within their control to ease the burden on the public.

“We cannot control global developments, but we can control how quickly and effectively we respond. The rakyat do not want excuses — they want action,” he said.

He urged the government to immediately approve pending applications and ensure the timely disbursement of subsidies to stabilise the sector and prevent additional financial strain on families.

No choice but to increase charges

Previously the Federation of Malaysian School Bus Associations president Amali Munif Rahmat said many members who are operating petrol-run school vans and qualify for the SKPS have yet to receive their fleet cards, despite applying months ago.

He said that due to this delay, those affected have been forced to rely on their own Budi95 subsidy quota of 200 litres a month and buy petrol at market rates once it is exhausted.

“If the delay continues until May, some operators may have no choice but to increase charges to cover costs,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.

Recently, school bus operators had raised concerns over their 200-litre monthly subsidised RON 95 quota, saying it fell short of actual usage of up to 800 litres due to multiple daily trips.

Amali noted that this shortfall was forcing operators to absorb ­higher fuel costs, with some considering fare hikes to stay afloat.

On fare increases, Amali stressed that the association does not set fare prices because it contravenes competition laws.

“We can only advise, and each operator will decide based on their cost structure,” he said. ‒  Focus Malaysia