MALAYSIA- The government was urged to consider extending the diesel subsidy to tour bus operators by the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita) today.
According to Leong Hoon Min, president of Mita, this is because the targeted diesel subsidy was implemented, which resulted in a sharp rise in diesel prices that burdened tour bus companies by raising operating costs.
We are overly burdened by the RM1.20 increase in diesel prices, which impacts the cost of pre-booked tour packages and increases the possibility of cancellation.
She said during a press conference today, “Everyone knows that the tourism industry is just gradually recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Leong called it “shocking” that the government had decided to exclude tour bus operators from the targeted diesel subsidy program.
The chairman of the Peninsular Malaysia Tour Bus Operators’ Association, Chong Sin Wah, expressed a similar opinion, speculating that the country’s tourist industry may be indirectly affected by the rise in diesel costs.
“As full payment had already been made, quotations for tour packages and contracts that have been issued to customers this month cannot be withdrawn,” the man stated.
Earlier, at the Motac building here, Leong and Chong, along with over twenty tour bus operators, presented a letter of appeal to Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing over the diesel subsidy application.
Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, the ministry’s deputy secretary-general for culture, received the letter.
After the targeted diesel subsidy system was put into place, the price of diesel in the peninsula was set at RM3.35 per litre as of yesterday. Bernama
