PUTRAJAYA will gather data to determine the number of M40 folk eligible for the targeted fuel subsidy scheme announced during Budget 2020’s tabling yesterday.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry will discuss with the Finance Ministry and agencies like the Road Transport Department (RTD) to work out a suitable mechanism to identify those in the middle class who qualify for the scheme.

“This is unlike the B40 group, as we already have their data… as I announced last Monday, there are some 2.9 million drivers, based on Bantuan Sara Hidup (Cost of Living Aid) and RTD records.

“We don’t have data on the M40 group to determine those eligible for the targeted fuel subsidy. We will get their details and set up a database,” he told reporters in Kulim today.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, when tabling the budget, said the government has allocated RM2.2 billion for the scheme, which aims to benefit eight million vehicle owners.

Saifuddin Nasution said minus the 2.9 million from the B40 category, the rest will comprise M40 individuals.

“That is our estimate. We will work out the details to ensure they are truly eligible.”

The scheme has two categories. Under the first, B40 recipients will get a RM30 subsidy for car owners and RM12 for those with motorcycles, with the money to be deposited into their accounts every four months.

The second category, known as Kad95, is for other eligible fuel subsidy recipients. – Bernama, October 12, 2019.