Dry runs and backup plans in place to ensure smooth nationwide rollout
PETALING JAYA: With just days to go before the rollout, dry runs and backup plans are already in motion to ensure the Budi Madani RON95 fuel subsidy programme (Budi95) kicks off smoothly so motorists can refuel at RM1.99 a litre, says Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz.
The Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president said that given the variety of petrol station options, systems and locations, network readiness and other preparations were made.
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“With more than 4,200 petrol stations nationwide processing three to four million fuel purchases daily, most Budi95 transactions will connect directly to the government database.
“Can the system handle over four million transactions a day? Contingency plans and backup systems are on standby to keep fuel available at RM1.99 per litre in the event of disruptions,” he said when contacted yesterday.
He urged the public to be patient if delays or disruptions happen, assuring that petrol station operators will do their part to ensure everyone can enjoy the subsidised RON95 price.
“The operators said they are working closely with the government and have assured that there will be business continuity to avoid inconveniencing motorists.
“We have come up with a business continuity plan in case the system goes down. We need to have a backup if there is a sudden spike in sales.
“Ultimately, we do not want to trouble or burden the people,” he said.
“So far, the testing at about 50 to 100 stations, everything looks good to go.
“But, if on the day itself, if anything happens, I am sorry, we will help you, but please don’t get angry with us. We also want the rakyat to pump RON95 at RM1.99 per litre,” he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on Monday a reduction in the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre from RM2.05, effective under Budi95.
The Finance Ministry said the Budi95 system will become available in stages: beginning with 300,000 military and police personnel on Sept 27, then Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah recipients on Sept 28, and finally for 16 million Malaysians aged 16 and above with a MyKad and a valid driving licence on Sept 30.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the implementation of Budi95 is the result of a carefully considered approach to targeted subsidy that balances the people’s welfare with fiscal responsibility.
He said this measured approach is considered the best accessibility with seamless implementation across more than 4,000 stations nationwide using MyKad verification.
“The reform is straightforward: all Malaysians continue to enjoy subsidised fuel at RM1.99 per litre – even lower than today’s RM2.05.
“What changes is that non-citizens and corporate users pay market rate, ensuring subsidies reach those they were intended for,” he said in a post on social media yesterday.
The initiative, he said, considered sufficient allocation for 99% of Malaysians with 300 litres per month by crunching data from the Department of Statistics.
“The outcome from this is expected to be between RM2.5bil and RM4bil of annual savings that can be redirected to programmes that benefit the rakyat,” he said.
