THE government is moving to include public passenger boat operators under the RON95 petrol subsidy scheme, recognising the importance of the service in remote and island communities.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the Cabinet agreed in principle to extend the subsidy either through the BUDI MADANI RON95 initiative (BUDI95) or the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS), with technical details to be announced soon.
“The government is aware that boats are the primary mode of transport for many, especially in island and riverine areas in Sabah, Sarawak, and certain parts of Peninsular Malaysia,” he said at the launch of the 2025 Buy Malaysian Products Campaign (KBBM), held in conjunction with ‘My Gaya Month’ and organised with the Malaysian Bumiputera Designers Association.
Armizan clarified that the support will apply to passenger boats registered under Malaysian citizens or companies locally incorporated.
To implement the plan, the federal government is working closely with state-level agencies, such as the Sarawak Rivers Board and the Sabah Ports and Harbours Department, to identify and verify eligible boat owners.
As a temporary measure, eligible operators may submit petrol purchase receipts to claim rebates. Meanwhile, the Appeals Committee under the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) has been reactivated with expanded responsibilities to include appeals related to SKPS.
“This committee will evaluate cases that fall outside current provisions and review new applications. Through this platform, operators can file appeals, and the government will determine the most appropriate mechanism for assistance,” said Armizan.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had also indicated that the government was open to extending BUDI95 to small passenger boat operators, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, given their essential role in connecting underserved communities. - October 2, 2025
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