KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are fortunate to benefit from lower petrol prices than foreigners under the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative, a move that reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens.
Somali national Faisal Abdi Ali, 45, said the savings enjoyed by Malaysians under Budi95 help with household financial management, allowing funds to be allocated to other essential needs.
Although the initiative does not cover foreigners, he described it as a fair and reasonable measure, noting that priority should be given to local citizens.
"I understand that the government needs to focus on its own people, and this is a fair approach. Malaysians should be grateful for the petrol subsidy provided and thank the Malaysian government,” he told Bernama.
Faisal, who has been living in Malaysia for the past five years to pursue his studies, recently completed his course at a private university in the federal capital.
Commenting on the RM2.60 price for RON95 for foreigners, he said it was reasonable and not overly burdensome.
"Subsidised petrol benefits Malaysians, and for foreigners it is normal to pay a higher price. I think this approach is fair," he said.
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Chinese student Shueb Ibn Abbas acknowledged that the removal of petrol subsidies for foreigners affected him to some extent, but said it would be unfair for foreigners to question the measure, as it is a right intended for the country’s citizens.
He added that the initiative’s rollout was well-organised and systematic, with the government distributing it to all eligible citizens in stages, helping to avoid any technical disruptions.
"Local people are fortunate in this matter; they should be grateful to be Malaysians," he said.
Budi95 was introduced in phases beginning Sept 27, with 300,000 Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police personnel, before being expanded to more than five million Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients in the B40 category on Sunday.
A total of 16 million Malaysians aged 16 and above with a MyKad and a valid driving licence are eligible to enjoy the subsidised RON95 petrol price of RM1.99 a litre, with each individual entitled to up to 300 litres a month.
The Finance Ministry previously announced that the unsubsidised retail price of RON95 petrol was set at RM2.60 a litre for the period from Sept 30 to Oct 8. - Bernama
