{
  "id": 2589774,
  "title": "Diesel subsidy changes to be announced earlier, says Armizan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/diesel-subsidy-changes-to-be-announced-earlier-says-armizan",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-22T13:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/22/diesel-subsidy-changes-to-be-announced-earlier-says-armizan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali announced that improvements to the diesel subsidy mechanism will be revealed within a month. He informed reporters that feedback from the ministry and Sabah and Sarawak state governments has been conveyed to the finance ministry, responsible for handling subsidies. Ali expressed optimism about the announcement potentially being made earlier than the previously estimated one to two months. The identified improvements aim to safeguard people's interests, including a simplified application process, relaxed eligibility criteria for hire-purchase vehicles, and quota transfers to immediate family members. The ministry has initiated an investigation under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act against two ferry operators that raised fares between Kudat and Banggi Island without responding to a notice demanding information. The companies are accused of potential price-fixing, which is a violation of the Competition Act. Both companies have yet to submit their applications for the diesel subsidy, despite being advised to do so. Ali suggested that the Sabah government consider taking over passenger ferry licensing under the Sabah Ports and Harbour department.",
  "summary": "The domestic trade and cost of living minister says feedback on the improvements to the subsidy mechanism had been sent to the finance ministry.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Diesel Subsidy Improvements To Be Announced Within A Month – Armizan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/general-diesel-subsidy-improvements-to-be-announced-within-a-month-a",
        "published": "2026-08-22T11:32:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Diesel subsidy improvements to be announced within a month - Armizan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/diesel-subsidy-improvements-to-be-announced-within-a-month-armizan",
        "published": "2026-08-22T13:17:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Diesel subsidy changes to be announced earlier, says Armizan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/diesel-subsidy-changes-to-be-announced-earlier-says-armizan-2595612",
        "published": "2026-08-22T13:50:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}