PADAWAN: The government has extended the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS) to cover the water public transport sector in a separate development with direct benefits for Sarawak’s inland and riverside communities, effective Oct 9.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said to the reporters at the ‘Sentuhan Kasih’ programme at Kampung Bratan yesterday (Apr 13).
When SKPS was first introduced, it covered 22 categories of land-based public and cargo transport vehicles, allowing them to purchase petrol at the subsidised rate of RM2.05 per litre.
However, the scheme initially excluded water transport, drawing objections from Sarawak and Sabah — two states where passenger boats serve as a primary mode of connectivity for many communities due to their unique geography.
“Following engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders and licensing agencies — including the Sarawak Rivers Board, which oversees the licensing of passenger boats in Sarawak — the government agreed to extend the subsidy to cover water passenger transport operators,” he explained.
“To date, 29 companies registered with the Sarawak Rivers Board have been approved under SKPS, granting them access to subsidised fuel at RM2.05 per litre,” he added.
The government has also made clear its expectation that operators benefiting from the fuel subsidy should not pass additional costs on to passengers, keeping fares affordable for communities that rely on these services as a lifeline.
