It is incumbent on the government to expedite the approval of fuel subsidy quota applications for school bus operators nationwide to prevent a chain reaction that will ultimately impact the rakyat.

Recognising the realities of the energy crisis, nevertheless, as a government, there must be proactive, decisive execution to alleviate the burden off the rakyat as citizens do not want excuses, but instead, real action.

The Federation of Malaysian School Bus Associations recently warned that if the fuel issue remains unresolved within this month, fares may be increased across the board starting next month. The association also highlighted that applications for the monthly subsidised quota of 800 litres under the Subsidised Petrol Control Scheme (SKPS), have yet to receive any response. Even among those approved, some operators have still not received their fleet cards.

It needs to be stressed that operators are not raising fares unreasonably; Rather, they are struggling under mounting operational pressures within the current system. The association has made it clear that operators are facing significant challenges under the SKPS mechanism, particularly due to the slow progress in finalising subsidy quotas.

The association has written twice: in January and March this year, to apply for a monthly quota of 800 litres, in line with the subsidy levels granted to taxi and e-hailing drivers, yet no response is forthcoming. At the same time, some operators who have been approved for subsidies have still not obtained their fleet cards. These are issues that must be addressed and resolved urgently.

The government cannot, on one hand, ask the rakyat to be grateful and endure hardship, while on the other hand ignore voices from the ground. This issue not only affects the operational viability of operators but also reflects a disconnect between policy execution and the realities faced by the people. While policies claim to protect critical sectors, in practice, school bus operators are left to navigate applications, delays, follow-ups, and uncertainty on their own.

We may not be able to control global developments or influence energy prices, but the government must act on what is within its control to reduce the burden on the rakyat during this crisis. Hence, the government needs to act swiftly and stop offering excuses.

Dato’ Sri Dr Wee Jeck Seng
MCA Vice President
Member of Parliament for Tanjung Piai

15 April 2026

-MCA Comm-