GEORGE TOWN: RON97 fuel sales will continue as usual and remain the primary fuel option for foreign-registered vehicles, which are not allowed to purchase RON95 petrol even with the floating of the RON95 price for those who are not eligible for subsidies.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said that under the implementation of the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) programme, only Malaysian citizens aged 16 and above with a valid driving licence will be eligible to purchase RON95 at the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre.
"Foreign-registered vehicles, such as those from Thailand, Indonesia, or Singapore, are not allowed to buy RON95. They can only purchase RON97 in accordance with existing regulations. RON97 is already sold at a floating price.
"However, foreign residents living in Malaysia who drive Malaysian-registered vehicles may purchase RON95 at market price, which will be determined at the end of the month,” he said at a press conference after attending the Post-13MP Engagement Session for the Northern Zone at the Setia Spice Convention Centre, Bayan Lepas, on Tuesday (Sept 23).
When asked about the potential for supply shortages for local citizens due to the unsubsidised sale of RON95 to foreign residents, Amir Hamzah, who is also carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Economy Minister, assured that there would be no such issue.
“There is no issue of supply or logistics shortages because foreign-registered vehicles are only allowed to purchase RON97,” he said.
On Monday (Sept 22), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the price of RON95 petrol would be reduced to RM1.99 per litre, down from RM2.05 per litre, effective Sept 30, through targeted subsidies under Budi95.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said that all Malaysians with an active driving licence, regardless of their income, are automatically eligible to enjoy 300 litres of RON95 per month at the subsidised price.
E-hailing drivers can apply for a higher limit through their companies.
Based on data from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the National Registration Department (JPN), an estimated over 16 million Malaysians will benefit from the subsidy. – Bernama
