New BUDI95 Initiative Provides Subsidized Petrol to B40 Groups
Following the recent launch of the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative for military and police personnel, over five million recipients of the Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) in the B40 income category are now able to enjoy the same benefit starting today—a subsidized petrol price of RM1.99 per litre.
This move is designed to offer immediate relief to low-income families dealing with the persistent pressure of the rising cost of living.
Across the country, many STR recipients expressed profound gratitude for the government’s evident concern for the B40 group.
In PERAK, Ahmad Tasir Mohd Isa, an 80-year-old retired civil servant from Pengkalan, shared that the subsidy would significantly help ease the financial burden on the public, particularly senior citizens.
He noted, “Although I don’t use a lot of petrol each month, the reduction in RON95 price definitely makes a difference in my monthly expenses,” when interviewed at a petrol station.
He also commended the ease of the process, thanking the helpful petrol station staff who guided him through the steps to access the BUDI95 benefits.
The BUDI95 mechanism is designed for simplicity and efficiency.
For example, Azman Mohamed Yusof, 54, a self-employed individual, stated that he only needed to complete his transaction by using his identification card (IC) at the payment counter.
He praised the speed and convenience, saying, “The process is quick, easy, and hassle-free. I’m grateful to the government for providing this petrol subsidy to those who truly need it.”
Direct Financial Relief and Seamless Implementation
The implementation of the BUDI95 initiative has been praised by beneficiaries for providing direct financial relief, especially for those who rely heavily on personal transport for business and daily commuting, all through a quick and seamless identification-based transaction system.
In KEDAH, Mohamad Din, 66, from Sungai Petani, who frequently travels to Alor Setar for business purposes, expressed that the BUDI95 initiative significantly eased his financial burden.
Previously, his petrol expenses for a single round trip often amounted to over RM80.
With the new subsidy, he noted, “The BUDI95 initiative is a great help. Now, with the price at RM1.99, it really lightens the load. I topped up RM30 today to try the system,” demonstrating the immediate benefit.
Another local resident, Chan Boon Shiang, 61, from Taman Ria, expressed his satisfaction after visiting a petrol station to check his eligibility and being pleased to be one of the early recipients, with his wife scheduled to begin using the benefit soon.
In MELAKA, Rohayu Abd Rashid, 38, a production operator, applauded the government for implementing BUDI95 to help alleviate the financial strain on low-income groups.
She pointed out that “Although the price difference may seem small, the savings are significant, especially for those commuting daily.”
Rohayu also emphasized that the initiative is designed to be well-targeted at deserving Malaysians, ensuring that the critical subsidy reaches those who truly qualify and need it most.
Impact on Commuters and Subsidy Misuse Prevention
The petrol subsidy offers substantial and meaningful cumulative savings for high-mileage commuters, and its IC-based implementation is seen as an effective mechanism to curb the long-standing issue of subsidized petrol misuse, particularly in border areas.
In PAHANG, Muhamad Amir Asraf, 35, a technician at a private hospital in Kuantan, initially felt a slight awkwardness using his identification card for his first petrol purchase.
However, he quickly realized that “the process was simpler than expected. I just went to the counter with my IC and was able to purchase petrol at RM1.99 per litre.”
He further highlighted a key benefit of the system, noting that BUDI95 would help to curb the misuse of subsidized petrol, a problem often prevalent in border areas where non-entitled users try to exploit the lower prices.
In KELANTAN, Abdullah Kemat, 43, appreciated the direct nature of the subsidy, which greatly benefits rural residents who often need to drive long distances for work or business activities.
He remarked, “There’s no long wait, the system verifies eligibility instantly. We can top up immediately with the subsidised price, saving both time and costs.”
Over in Tumpat, Siti Rohana Ismail, 47, described the BUDI95 initiative as a “wallet saver,” which is critical given her daily commute of over 40 kilometres to work in Kota Bharu, underscoring that for her, “Every litre saved counts. Every ringgit saved is meaningful.”
Another recipient, Roslan Mat Jusoh, 50, from Pengkalan Chepa, said the resulting petrol savings from BUDI95 allowed his family to reallocate more funds toward essential groceries and their children’s school needs, proving that even small savings have a significant household impact.
The BUDI95 program is scheduled for full implementation soon, ultimately benefitting approximately 16 million eligible Malaysians who possess a valid MyKad and an active driving licence.
