BY ZARINA ABDULLAH
KUCHING: The Consumer Voice Association of Sarawak (Covas) is proposing that the Sarawak government allocate RM240mln next year for motorcyclists registered with the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Its deputy president Datuk Shamsudin Abdul Rahman said every licensed motorcyclist should be given RM300 a year.
“The rationale for this proposal is because the federal government’s policy for RON95 subsidy does not provide maximum benefit to motorcyclists compared to car users because they use a small amount of fuel every month.
“Besides that, the state government starting 2019 has received royalties and oil sales tax amounting to RM8bil every year, but does not provide direct benefit to motorcyclists,” he said in a statement on Friday (Oct 30).
“This method of assistance can also help the government ensure that all motorcyclists get a valid JPJ licence.
“While for the distribution of aid, it can be managed by certain parties either using both cash payment or vouchers and only given to those who have a valid licence.”
He added that based on the vehicle usage report from Oct 3, 2017, 729,227 motorcycles were registered in Sarawak compared to 813,569 cars.
“These statistics show that there are still many poor people, especially the B40 and M40 groups in Sarawak.
“Therefore, they need attention and protection from the government.”
He also appealed to the government to provide for the widening of roads as well as the removal of cement and stones on roads, which are hazardous to motorcyclists.
