KUCHING: Sarawak business groups have sought clarification from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) on diesel subsidy eligibility, fleet card quotas and approval delays affecting companies, particularly those operating in rural areas.
Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak’s (DUBS) Secretary-general, Jezamine Dior, said the concerns were raised during a briefing by KPDN representatives on the subsidised diesel fleet card scheme.
The session followed a joint press conference on July 10 by DUBS, the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Malay Contractors Association of Malaysia, Sarawak, which called for engagement with authorities over rising construction-material costs and the impact of diesel-subsidy rationalisation.
Dior said businesses wanted clarity on the eligibility of concrete mixer trucks, rural-use lorries, company-owned pickups and jeeps.
“While we recognise the government’s intention to prevent fuel leakages, businesses, especially small and medium enterprises operating across Sarawak’s vast geography, face immediate administrative challenges,” she said during the special briefing with KPDN on company-owned jeep and pickup eligibility under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) at the MBKS Auditorium on Thursday.
She said members had raised questions over fleet-card quotas, delays in fleet approvals and how regional exceptions would be handled.
“The expansion of the system to cover company-owned jeeps and pickups is critical for Sarawak business owners who rely heavily on these vehicles for daily rural and urban commerce, as well as agricultural logistics,” she said.
Dior said the briefing enabled businesses to seek direct guidance on the MySubsidi application process, fleet card applications, registration issues, and appeals.
The subsidised rate for eligible land-transport vehicles is RM2.15 per litre.
She said the business groups would compile outstanding issues and bring them to elected representatives for further action.
