KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Aug 2008: The government will continue paying cash rebates to private vehicle owners until March 31 next year even if the fuel price is revised downward, says Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha.
“There is a possibility that the fuel pump price will go down when we restructure the fuel price from 1 Sept. However, the government will keep its promise of paying the cash rebates according to the rate previously announced,” he said in reply to Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) at the Dewan Rakyat today.
In June, the government announced the cash payment of RM625 each to owners of private cars with engine capacity of up to 2,000cc and private pick-up trucks and jeeps of up to 2,500cc, and RM150 to owners of private motorcycles with engine capacity of up to 250cc.
The payment was to help the people cushion the fuel price hikes.
Kong said the government chose Pos Malaysia Berhad as the channel for the rebate payment as the company has the experience in handling collections for various agencies.
“Pos Malaysia also has 686 branches nationwide and is connected online with the Road Transport Department,” he said.
Kong said the government is confident that Pos Malaysia would be able to handle the rebate payment based on its performance in handling various transactions for the JPJ such as road tax renewals.
The government is still discussing with Pos Malaysia on the commission for the service, he said. – Bernama
