KUALA LUMPUR: The study on the targeted petrol subsidy for the low-income or B40 group is now in the final stages before a mechanism is implemented.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said all related matters have been finalised except for the recipient data which is now in the process of being updated.
“When this process (recipient data) is finalised, the government can announce the implementation of the targeted subsidy so that there will be savings and it can be used for other purposes,” he said.
Saifuddin was speaking to reporters after launching the “Seminar On Energising Sustainable Development Goals: for People, Ecosystem and Planet” at Universiti Malaya yesterday. Also present was UM vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Nik Abdul Rahim Hashim.
Malaysians are expected to use about 1.2 billion litres of petrol each month with 90 percent of it being subsidised RON95 while the rest is RON97.
In February this year, the government announced the price of RON95 petrol would be capped at RM2.08 for all consumers regardless of the global petrol price.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the Food Waste Bill will be tabled in Parliament by the end of this year.
He said the bill was 75 percent completed with only the final details to be worked out with the Finance Ministry on tax exemption for donors.
“Based on (the) experience of the other countries, the feedback we are getting (is) if we can put it (tax exemption) as one component in the food waste bill that would actually encourage more contributors.
“So, I would say that based on the last briefing by the legal advisor, we are moving on the right track and hopefully by end of this year we should able to table it in Parliament,” he said. – Bernama
