{
  "id": 7940638,
  "title": "BUDI Diesel mobile counters proposed for Sabah, Sarawak, says minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/budi-diesel-mobile-counters-proposed-for-sabah-sarawak-says-minister-7940638",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T03:32:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/17/budi-diesel-mobile-counters-proposed-for-sabah-sarawak-says-minister/235490"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 — The government has proposed extending the BUDI Madani Diesel (BUDI Diesel) mobile counter programme to the states of Sabah and Sarawak. This move aims to ensure that rural and remote communities are not excluded from the scheme's advantages due to limited digital access. Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak), explained that the geographical conditions of both states necessitated a direct approach to service delivery rather than relying solely on online platforms. He proposed collaboration with Community Development Leader Units in Sabah, Community Leaders and Chiefs in Sarawak, District Offices, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, and other relevant agencies to implement the mobile counter programme. Mustapha emphasized the importance of this approach to prevent citizens from being left behind due to information gaps, misunderstood procedures, or lack of digital service access. He also called for stronger cooperation between the Ministry of Finance, KPDN, and grassroots community leadership structures to leverage their proximity to the community for information dissemination, identification of eligible citizens, and guidance during the application and transfer processes. The enhancements to the BUDI Diesel scheme, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, are particularly significant for Sabah and Sarawak, as they consider the unique vehicle usage patterns in both states. Under the new rules, registered vehicle owners can now transfer their eligibility to any eligible actual user of a private diesel vehicle, with up to three additional transfers allowed for those owning multiple diesel vehicles, subject to specified conditions. Mustapha viewed these improvements as a testament to the prime minister's responsiveness to the concerns of Sabah and Sarawak's residents. However, he stressed that a well-designed policy becomes effective only when the grassroots level benefits from the provided facilities. Mustapha indicated that feedback on the BUDI Diesel implementation in Sabah and Sarawak would continue to be discussed at Cabinet meetings to maintain the matter as a priority for the federal government.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU, Sept 17 — The BUDI Madani Diesel (BUDI Diesel) mobile counter programme has been proposed for expan...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "BUDI Diesel mobile counters proposed for Sabah, Sarawak, says minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/budi-diesel-mobile-counters-proposed-for-sabah-sarawak-says-minister",
        "published": "2026-09-17T03:32:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}