SANDAKAN: Tanjong Papat Assemblyman Alex Thien Ching Qiang met with Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) officers on Thursday to address business complaints over diesel subsidy application difficulties.
The meeting, attended by Sandakan KPDN Branch Chief Joe Azmi, focused on unclear eligibility requirements and inconsistent approval decisions that have created confusion among local businesses.
Thien highlighted that many companies operating AE-category vehicles have been unable to qualify for the Controlled Diesel Subsidy System (SKDS), while similar businesses have received approval. He noted that all applications under both BUDI and SKDS programmes are processed solely by the ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya, with state and district offices having no approval authority or formal appeal mechanism.
He urged the Federal Government to decentralise part of the approval process by empowering state-level authorities and establishing a state-level SKDS coordination desk for Sabah. This would improve efficiency and enable officers familiar with local conditions to better assist applicants, rather than forcing businesses to rely entirely on Putrajaya for every application matter.
The meeting also discussed diesel subsidy eligibility for dump trucks used in agricultural sector, with Thien calling for a review of criteria to ensure vehicles genuinely used for agricultural production can receive assistance. Additionally, KPDN officers clarified that applications for the 100-litre quota for private vehicles are normally processed within two to three days, and those facing difficulties should seek ministry assistance.
KPDN officers agreed to compile the feedback and individual cases for submission to the ministry’s headquarters for further consideration. Thien stressed that while the government seeks to strengthen fiscal management, it must uphold administrative efficiency and fairness to ensure genuine businesses in agriculture, transportation and production do not lose access to assistance due to overly complicated procedures. – James Leong
Thien called for a review of criteria to ensure vehicles genuinely used for agricultural production can receive assistance.
