He said the government does not want the implementation of targeted diesel subsidies in the peninsula to affect citizens dependent on daily goods and services.

Armizan said the vehicles approved in the subsidised diesel control system were decided by a committee involving the transport; plantation and commodities; agriculture and food security; and finance ministries and other stakeholders.

“Basically, the vehicles chosen are involved in the delivery of goods and services that are oriented towards primary uses and are important for the rakyat in general,” he said at a press conference today.

He was commenting on a suggestion yesterday by MCA Youth deputy chief Chong Yew Chuan that diesel subsidies be given to tour buses and vans.

Chong expressed concern that the lack of aid for tour bus and van operators would jeopardise their incomes and the tourism sector.

Last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced an incentive to curb drastic rises in the prices of goods and services, offering diesel subsidies to traders using commercial diesel vehicles.

The subsidy will involve 10 types of public transport vehicles and 23 types of goods transportation vehicles under the systen.