Subsidised Ron95 Sales In Kuala Tahan Deferred

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Residents in certain areas are facing delayed sales of RON95 petrol, at a time when most Malaysians have begun enjoying targeted subsidies for the fuel under the Budi95 scheme.
Malaysiakini checks found that sales of the subsidised petrol have been deferred in the Kuala Tahan area in Jerantut, Pahang.
Kuala Tahan is one of many rural areas where instead of petrol stations, fuel is sold - legally - through different means. In this area's case the petrol is supplied to and sold at sundry shops.
Trader Hafifi Azhar, 27, said he was informed by an officer from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s Pahang branch about the delayed roll-out of deliveries for RON95.
ADSHe added that the situation could cause concern and difficulties for residents in obtaining petrol, especially for tourism-supporting activities in Taman Negara.
“This is a tourist hotspot, petrol supply is a basic necessity for tourist boat operators and residents’ daily activities.
“As of today, I’ve been told the petrol supply has been temporarily deferred,” he told Malaysiakini yesterday.
He also lamented that while the ministry had previously supplied 50,000 litres of subsidised petrol to three sundry shops in Kuala Tahan, the amount was insufficient to meet their needs.
“At my shop, the petrol supply usually runs out in the last week of every month.
“We are also unsure how the manual sales mechanism will work since petrol purchases are capped at 300 litres per month for every eligible individual,” he added.
Securing stock
Taman Negara Boat Services Association chairperson Fredauz Yusri Mat Yunus said the deferment of RON95 fuel supply has raised concerns about securing adequate stock.
This, he said, is because boat operators and residents would have to travel more than 30km to the nearest petrol station.
“If sundry shops here have no supply, we have to go to the Felda Sungai Retang petrol station, which is more than 30km away,” he said when contacted.
“Normally, we are allowed to buy 20 litres of petrol per purchase. But, we don’t yet know how the mechanism will work once the 300-litre monthly quota per person is enforced.
“For boat use alone, this quota is insufficient to cover our actual needs. That’s without even factoring in petrol used for other daily activities,” he added.
ADSHe also expressed hope that the delay in petrol sales in the area could be a temporary obstacle, highlighting that the fuel plays a crucial role in residents’ dependance on Taman Negara tourism products as well as boats, which are their main mode of transport.
“If petrol supply is cut off, it really causes problems for us,” he said.
A sundry shop trader selling subsidised petrol in Kuala Tahan said they have yet to be briefed on the petrol sales mechanism following the implementation of Budi95.
“Here, we previously sold at the subsidised price, using manual measurement with licences issued by the authorities (the ministry),” said Siti Nur Suhada Suhaimi, 26.
“So far, (for Budi95), we don’t yet know how sales will be conducted under the 300-litre monthly quota.”
Ministry to look into issue
Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh, when contacted, said her ministry will look into the matter for further action.
Under Budi95, all Malaysians with a valid driving licence can buy RON95 at RM1.99 per litre, with a monthly limit of 300 litres.
Foreigners driving locally registered vehicles are to pay the market price for RON95, estimated to be around RM2.60 per litre, while foreign-registered vehicles will still be limited to RON97.
The scheme was implemented in stages, with the armed forces and police first to get the subsidies on Sept 27, followed by Rahmah Necessities Aid recipients on Sept 28, before a full rollout yesterday. - Mkini

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