Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has appealed for public understanding regarding the temporary adjustment of the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) eligibility quota, which will be reduced from 300 litres to 200 litres per month effective 1 April. During a special address on Thursday, the Prime Minister explained that the decision was reached after careful and prudent deliberation, taking into full account the global economic strains currently facing the nation due to ongoing conflicts in Western Asia. He emphasised that this measure is a reactive necessity to safeguard the country’s broader economic interests during a period of international volatility.
As the Finance Minister, Anwar clarified that the revised quota is a temporary strategy intended to remain in place until global oil markets, supply chains, and the world economy achieve a sense of stability. He admitted, however, that there are currently no definitive signs of an immediate recovery in the global landscape. While acknowledging that the move might cause some inconvenience to segments of the population, he stressed that the government is acting with great caution to ensure that the people are not overly burdened while the nation navigates these external challenges.
The Prime Minister addressed the potential for public criticism, noting that while he anticipates various allegations and interpretations of this policy shift, the government’s priority remains the collective well-being of the majority. He sought the cooperation and patience of all Malaysians to support these efforts, which are designed to prevent further leakages in the subsidy system. Despite the reduction in the monthly litre eligibility for the BUDI95 programme, Anwar confirmed that the subsidized price for eligible recipients will be maintained at RM1.99 per litre to mitigate the impact on daily living costs.
In a stern directive to the civil service, the Prime Minister called upon all government agencies and enforcement machinery to exercise greater vigilance and firmness in curbing any form of subsidy misappropriation. He stated that the government cannot justify providing extensive subsidies only to witness hundreds of millions of ringgit lost every month through sophisticated smuggling activities. A final warning was issued to those involved in such syndicates, asserting that the full strength of the state’s enforcement power will be deployed to dismantle smuggling operations and protect national resources.
Anwar concluded his address by expressing his gratitude to the Malaysian public for their proactive role in identifying and reporting instances of fuel subsidy abuse. He lauded citizens who have taken the responsibility to alert enforcement agencies or use social media platforms to highlight fraudulent activities at petrol stations, whether committed by locals or foreign nationals. This civic engagement is viewed as vital in the government’s broader mission to ensure that national subsidies reach the intended target groups and contribute to the country’s long-term economic resilience.
