THE Madani Government will implement a targeted subsidy for RON95 petrol from 30 September 2025, lowering the price from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre for eligible citizens under the new BUDI95 programme, announced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the Ministry of Finance’s monthly assembly on Friday, the Prime Mninister said: “This measure fulfils the government’s pledge made in Budget 2025 to enhance public spending efficiency by extending subsidy targeting beyond electricity and diesel to include petrol.
“This fulfils our commitment to follow the earlier subsidy targeting for electricity and diesel with similar efforts for petrol,” Anwar stated. “More importantly, it delivers on our promise to lower RON95 prices specifically for Malaysian citizens.”
Each Malaysian citizen will receive a monthly quota of 300 litres of subsidised petrol under BUDI95, a provision designed to cover the fuel needs of more than 99 percent of users.
The Prime Minister highlighted positive public feedback, emphasising that restricting subsidies to citizens while charging non-citizens full price will help curb leakages and smuggling.
"The RON95 subsidy is a privilege reserved exclusively for Malaysian citizens and is provided to all, regardless of income level," he explained.
To facilitate the scheme, the government launched the BUDI Madani online portal on 25 September, enabling Malaysians to check eligibility via their national ID and valid driving licence.
Over 16.4 million citizens have already been registered, supported by a helpline at 1300-88-9595.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, announced free replacement of damaged MyKad chips until 7 October and extended weekend operating hours at Road Transport Department counters nationwide until 26 October to assist with verification and renewals.
Clarifying initial misunderstandings, Anwar affirmed that foreign-registered vehicles remain prohibited from purchasing subsidised RON95, and foreign nationals or expatriates driving locally registered vehicles will pay unsubsidised rates.
He also addressed concerns regarding non-vehicular uses such as boats, generators, and lawnmowers, assuring that the 300-litre quota generally exceeds such requirements, with appeals considered in exceptional cases.
Technically, the BUDI95 platform is capable of processing 30,000 transactions per minute, ten times the capacity of the previous SARA system, ensuring a more robust and seamless experience.
The subsidy will be rolled out in stages, beginning with police and military personnel on 27 September, followed by recipients of Bantuan Sara Hidup (STR) on 28 September, before expanding to 16 million Malaysians by 30 September.
“The RON95 subsidy reform is about eliminating abuse and smuggling while ensuring that our people continue to receive the support they need,” Anwar emphasised. He confirmed that savings from reduced subsidy leakages will be redirected to citizen-focused programmes such as STR and SARA.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to economic fairness and prudent subsidy management as vital to Malaysia’s long-term resilience.
MMEA And AADK Detention Centres To Install High-Tech CCTV
Separately, high-tech closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems will be installed across all detention centres operated by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Anwar confirmed.
The decision was approved during the latest meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on National Governance (JKKTN), chaired by Anwar, as part of broader efforts to improve enforcement oversight and safeguard detainee welfare.
“This initiative is a strategic move by the government, in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), aimed at addressing current challenges faced by enforcement agencies, enhancing security measures, and improving monitoring at detention facilities,” Bernama cited the Prime Minister saying in a Facebook post earlier.
The CCTV rollout is intended to strengthen transparency and operational standards within enforcement agencies, particularly those responsible for custodial environments.
The government’s focus on enforcement was further underscored by concerns raised over repeated incursions by foreign fishing vessels into Malaysian waters, which Anwar said compromise national sovereignty and deplete marine resources.
“These incursions not only violate the country’s maritime sovereignty but also result in significant losses of marine resources, negatively impacting the local fishing community and the national economy,” he said.
The JKKTN meeting also endorsed closer strategic cooperation between Malaysia and neighbouring countries to address maritime boundary issues and combat illegal fishing activities.
“The policy and legal reforms agreed upon today reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring that public services remain responsive to national security needs, while upholding the principles of efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness in public sector governance,” Anwar added.
The surveillance initiative is part of a broader shift under the Madani administration to improve institutional accountability, deter misconduct, and protect national interests across both land and sea. - September 26, 2025
