Finance Minister II: RM3.7m worth of RON95 bought since Budi95 launch

LABUAN, Sept 28 — Since the launch of the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative yesterday, a total of RM3.7 million worth of RON95 petrol has been purchased at the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre as of 12 noon today.

Finance Minister II Datuk Amir Hamzah Azizan said the purchases involved more than 90,000 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) from over 300,000 eligible recipients, making them the first group to benefit from the programme.

He said starting today, Budi95 has been extended to over five million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients under the B40 category, ahead of its full rollout on Sept 30 that will cover 16 million Malaysians with MyKad and valid driving licences.

“Based on observations nationwide, STR recipients have already begun using the subsidy scheme. As of 12 noon, over 200,000 recipients have utilised the facility, while the total purchase value is still being consolidated,” he told reporters after visiting a Petronas station at Jalan Pohon Batu here.

Amir Hamzah, who began his two-day working visit to Labuan today, said reports indicated that Budi95 operations were running smoothly, with stable system performance and proper MyKad verification at petrol station terminals.

However, he acknowledged minor technical issues, including inactive driving licences, faulty MyKad chips and outdated identity card numbers.

“To address these matters, we are working with agencies such as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and National Registration Department (JPN), both of which are ready to provide operational support,” he said.

Amir Hamzah added that the Budi95 initiative would help curb subsidy leakages and ensure aid reaches the right people.

“Our aim is for the assistance to genuinely benefit the rakyat. By leveraging the national identity card verification system, it also reinforces a sense of privilege for Malaysian citizens,” he said. — Bernama