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Kota Kinabalu: Hundreds of lawfully operating Sabah businesses are being unfairly shut out of the new Budi Diesel Subsidy scheme simply because they do not appear in the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) database.

Warisan Likas Assemblyman Tham Yun Fook said many sole proprietors and small operators, though fully licensed by local authorities (PBT), have been unable to register for the aid one month after it came into force.

“The scheme links strictly to SSM records and completely ignores PBT-issued licences,” Tham said amid a surge of complaints.

“These businesses operate legally, pay their dues and contribute to our economy — yet they are treated as ineligible.”

He added that even when the business owner and registered vehicle owner are one and the same, mismatched data across systems still keeps them excluded.

Under the scheme, eligible commercial vehicles receive subsidised diesel capped at 200 litres monthly — vital relief now out of reach for many:

•  Sharp rise in operating costs for transport, agriculture and construction
•  Severe pressure on already tight SME profit margins
•  Heaviest impact on operators serving remote rural areas

A frustrating runaround has made matters worse:

•  The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) tells applicants to update details at the Road Transport Department (JPJ)
•  JPJ in turn refers them back to KPDN with no further help

Tham said he has already raised the matter directly with the Sabah KPDN director, but no changes have been made so far.

He is now urging the Ministry of Finance to step in immediately and:

•  Integrate PBT business licence databases into the subsidy system
•  Accept valid PBT licences as sufficient proof of eligibility
•  Resolve conflicting registration data across agencies
•  Scrap the “one-size-fits-all” approach unsuited to Sabah’s circumstances

“Sabah’s vast geography and business landscape are very different from Peninsular Malaysia,” Tham stressed.

“A standard national model that ignores our realities defeats the very purpose of this subsidy. Our businesses deserve a fair go.”

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