PUTRAJAYA – Notwithstanding the big launch of biodiesel in 2009, only 3,900 vehicles are currently using the fuel. B5 biodiesel is a blend of five percent palm diesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel.
Nevertheless, the government, through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), has allocated RM43.1 million for the construction of B5 biodiesel in-line blending facilities. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said this will include three depots in Selangor, two depots in Negeri Sembilan and one depot in Melaka for the central region.
Five oil companies, namely Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Shell Malaysia Trading SdnBhd, Esso Malaysia Bhd, Chevron Malaysia Lmd and Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd will operate the depots, he told reporters after launching the use of B5 biodiesel at the central region level here yesterday.
Dompok said its use will be expanded to Melaka on 1 July, Negeri Sembilan on 1 Aug, Kuala Lumpur on 1 Sept and Selangor 1 Oct. At the initial stage, he said, the B5 programme will only involve the landed transportation sector, namely private, public and commercial vehicles. From 1 Nov, it will cover the industrial and fishery sectors, particularly fishermen.
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Jimmy Tan
