The Malaysian Ministry of Finance announced that the diesel cash subsidy for Peninsular Malaysia will increase from the current 300 ringgit (approximately 97 Singapore dollars) to 400 ringgit starting next Tuesday (April 21). Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar announced on Tuesday (April 14) afternoon that the beneficiaries of this subsidy include over 200,000 farmers and small orchard owners, as well as around 150,000 diesel vehicle owners in Peninsular Malaysia. Anwar said that the government understands the direct impact of rising fuel prices on the people, and therefore has adopted more targeted assistance measures to help paddy farmers and other farmers, small orchard owners, and eligible diesel vehicle owners. He revealed that the government has also agreed to relax the regulations on special permits required for purchasing over 20 liters of diesel and has agreed that agricultural machinery owners can exceed the purchase limit by simply presenting their registration documents. Details will be announced by the authorities soon. Currently, Malaysia allows fishermen and public transport operators to purchase diesel at a discounted price using subsidy cards, and provides a monthly 300 ringgit cash subsidy for farmers, school bus, and cargo truck owners who cannot obtain subsidy cards. Farmers and transport operators have recently frequently called on the authorities to increase the subsidy amount or to allow them to purchase diesel using subsidy cards. According to the Ministry of Finance, the retail price of unsubsidized diesel in Peninsular Malaysia is 6.72 ringgit per liter this week, while subsidy card holders can purchase diesel at 2.15 ringgit per liter, the same as the retail price of diesel in East Malaysia.