14/05/2008 (NST Online) - THE government may encourage transport vehicles to switch to bio-diesel should its use become mandatory. Plantation Industry and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said the transportation sector holds the most potential in using bio-diesel as such vehicles consume high amounts of diesel.

"They also regularly go into densely populated areas such as major markets or cities. Should use of bio-diesel become mandatory, the government may consider having vehicles such as buses and lorries switch to bio-diesel, as a long-term approach," he said.

He said this in reply to a supplementary question from Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Machang).

However, Chin stressed that it is not feasible yet for the government to implement such a step due to the high fixed stock price of palm oil.