PUTRAJAYA’S new fuel subsidy scheme for eligible recipients from the lower income B40 group is a scam, according to a youth group, which plans to hold a protest at Parliament tomorrow.

Gerakan Tuntut Malaysia (Tuntut) chairman A’zlan Abu Bakar said the conditions and criteria set to become an eligible recipient, as well as the paltry amount given, prove that the government is not trying its best to reduce the fuel subsidy for the people.

Tuntut is planning to hold a protest against the government’s new fuel subsidy just before Budget 2020 is tabled at 3pm tomorrow.

“We are holding this protest for the return of fuel subsidy for all, because we feel the government is planning to float fuel prices according to the market rate.

“This new scheme is just an eyewash, just to show that the subsidy is still given.

“Those who are eligible only get RM30 per month. That is about RM1 per day.

“Does it make sense? The conditions to qualify are also tough.

“It just looks like the government wants to cut down the number of people who can receive the subsidy,” A’zlan told The Malaysian Insight.

On Monday, Putrajaya announced that the price of RON95 petrol will be floated under the government’s revised petrol subsidy scheme to target the needy.

Only eligible recipients from the B40 group will receive subsidies of between RM48 and RM120 quarterly, depending on the type of vehicle they own.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the new scheme would take effect early next year, and will only be applicable to Peninsular Malaysia.

Currently, only the higher grade fuel RON97 is floated and prices are announced weekly every Friday.

RON95 and diesel are capped at RM2.08 per litre and RM2.18 per litre, respectively.

Saifuddin said the government will ensure the new pump price of RON95 will not be too expensive.

Come January, eligible car owners will receive RM30 per month while motorcycle owners will receive RM12 a month, Saifuddin said, adding that the subsidy will be deposited into their bank accounts.

Those eligible must already be recipients of the government’s cash aid programme, Household Living Aid (Bantuan Sara Hidup).

These subsidies will cost the government RM65.4 million a month and will benefit 2.9 million people, Saifuddin added.

A’zlan further said that the floated pump prices will have a spill-over effect, with prices of goods and services bound to increase.

“Pakatan Harapan in its manifesto promised to bring down the prices of goods but don’t they realise that when the fuel subsidy is taken back, prices will surely go up?”

“It will surely impact the man in the street, because it will be us who will have to carry the extra burden,” he said, adding his movement decided to protest against the new fuel subsidy scheme as no politicians were ready to oppose the government.

“The people also need to know what is happening and should not allow them to be fooled by the government,” he said.

Formed in September last year, Tuntut is a multiracial youth movement, which says it fights for the rights of the people. – October 10, 2019.