MALAYSIA will maintain the retail price of RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre despite a sharp rise in global oil prices triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a special press conference at his office in Putrajaya, Anwar acknowledged that the decision presents a significant challenge for the government as global fuel costs continue to climb.
“This is a difficult decision but (RON95) will be maintained at RM1.99 per litre even though the market price is far higher than the actual price, especially when compared with prices in neighbouring countries, which are three times higher,” he said.
The decision comes as energy markets face renewed volatility amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed international crude oil prices upward and prompted fuel price increases in many countries.
Malaysia has long maintained subsidies for RON95 petrol to shield consumers from fluctuations in global energy prices and to ease the cost-of-living burden.
Anwar said the government’s decision reflects its commitment to protecting the public from the immediate impact of rising global oil prices, even as international fuel markets remain under pressure.
The announcement follows recent spikes in global crude prices amid escalating regional tensions that threaten key shipping routes and oil supply flows. - March 11, 2026
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