Diesel subsidy changes to be announced earlier, says Armizan

 The domestic trade and cost of living minister says feedback on the improvements to the subsidy mechanism had been sent to the finance ministry.

Armizan Mohd Ali, the minister of domestic trade and cost of living, said the announcement would be made in less than a month.

PAPAR:

Improvements to the diesel subsidy mechanism will be announced in less than a month, domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said today.

He said feedback from the ministry and the Sabah and Sarawak state governments had been conveyed to the finance ministry, which is responsible for handling subsidies.

He said the ministry was optimistic that the announcement could be made earlier than the one- to two-month timeframe estimated previously. “Several improvements have been identified to ensure that the implementation of the subsidy continues to safeguard the interests of the people,” he told reporters here.

Last week, finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said several improvements to the targeted diesel subsidy system were being studied and would be announced within the next one to two months.

The improvements included a simpler application process, relaxation of eligibility criteria concerning hire-purchase vehicles and quota transfers to immediate family members.

Probe into ferry fare increases

Armizan said the ministry has opened investigation papers under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act against two ferry operators that have raised ferry fares in Kudat for trips between Kudat and Banggi Island.

He said the companies have not responded to a notice requesting information issued at the end of March, prompting him to direct the Malaysia Competition Commission to investigate possible price-fixing.

He said there were complaints of elements of collusion, as both companies had jointly announced fare increases. “Any element of price-fixing is a violation of the Competition Act,” he said.

On claims that the ferry operators are not receiving diesel subsidies, he said the two ferry companies have yet to submit their applications for the subsidy despite having been advised to do so. Armizan proposed that the Sabah government consider the possibility of taking over licensing of passenger ferries under the Sabah Ports and Harbour department. - FMT