'Budi Madani database for diesel subsidy developed without extra cost'

PARLIAMENT | The Budi Madani database for diesel subsidy rationalisation was developed using government internal resources and did not incur extra cost to the country, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Therefore, Putrajaya did not need to use an open tender approach, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said.

"The Budi Madani portal was developed using internal government resources where we utilised (expertise) from among civil servants, without engaging any external consultant.

"Thus, the issue does not arise whether there was an open tender or not, because we utilised our existing infrastructures," she said during Minister's Question Time this morning.

Lim was answering a question from Suhaimi Nasir (BN-Libaran), who wanted the government to explain why it did not utilise the existing Central Database Hub (Padu) in executing targeted subsidies for diesel and the costs incurred on Putrajaya for developing the new Budi Madani database.

The deputy minister reiterated the answer when Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap) brought up a similar question later, where he pointed out that Padu cost the government RM85.27 million.

"As I mentioned earlier about Budi Madani, (its development) involved internal resources from the Inland Revenue Board, we have our own expertise so it did not involve any (further costs)," Lim said, adding that she could not answer about Padu as it falls under the Economy Ministry.

Budi Madani, or its full name Budi Madani Subsidy Aid Programme, was introduced as a platform for diesel vehicle owners to apply for diesel subsidies.

The move courted criticism as Malaysians already had to register for Padu earlier for the subsidies.

In response to this, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Budi Madani registration facility was aimed to complement Padu.

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