Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government remains attentive to concerns raised by the public, particularly those in the agriculture, livestock, fisheries and food industries, regarding the phased implementation of the Budi Madani subsidy assistance scheme beginning July 1, 2026.
State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said his ministry had received extensive feedback and suggestions on the scheme’s eligibility criteria, particularly on vehicle ownership requirements and monthly subsidised fuel quotas.
He said these issues have significantly affected workers and business operators who travel long distances daily for work.
Under the Budi Madani scheme, ordinary individuals are eligible for 200 litres of subsidised RON95 monthly, while private diesel vehicle owners receive 200 litres of subsidised RON95 and diesel.
Pick-up truck and jeep owners are entitled to an additional 100 litres, bringing the total to 300 litres per month.
Jamawi also acknowledged the challenges faced by many agri-food entrepreneurs in Sabah, some of whom resort to purchasing operational vehicles through loan transfer arrangements due to difficulties obtaining bank financing.
This affects vehicle ownership status, which is one of the eligibility requirements under the scheme.
He assured that concerns raised by grassroots industry players would not be ignored, adding that all proposals would be reviewed and brought to the Sabah Cabinet in the near future before being submitted to the Federal Finance Ministry for further consideration.
The move is expected to help secure special consideration or flexibility for Sabah’s agri-food sector to ensure food supply chains and domestic economic activities are not disrupted.
Consumers are advised to check and update their information through the official Budi Madani portal.
