AS THE Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative rolls out, many Malaysians are wondering about the practicalities of this new initiative.
The good news is that the government has prioritised a smooth and hassle-free transition, ensuring that the process is as simple as possible for the 16 million citizens who stand to benefit.
The entire system is designed around a single, familiar tool: your MyKad.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah noted that this framework is a stark improvement over the old blanket subsidy model, where subsidies were “invisible, prone to abuse and hard to track”.
“Budi95 is built on transparency. The system is simple and verifies eligibility instantly. Meanwhile, non-citizens and corporate users are automatically charged the market rate,” he said.
“This clear two-tier structure is easy for consumers to understand and for the authorities to enforce.”
There is no need for complicated application forms, lengthy registration processes or waiting in line at government offices to be eligible for Budi95.
The only requirements are a valid MyKad and a valid driving licence for individuals aged 16 and above.
Eligibility is automatically linked to your MyKad, turning the national identification card into your key to accessing the subsidised fuel price of RM1.99/litre, with a monthly limit of 300 litres per individual.
Meanwhile, e-hailing drivers can apply for a higher monthly ceiling.
The refuelling process will also be straightforward as all petrol stations and pumps across the country will be equipped with MyKad scanners.
To refuel, simply insert your MyKad into the designated scanner at the pump or at the cashier counter before making payments. Then, just refuel as you normally would at the pump station.
The system will instantly verify your eligibility, and you can then proceed to refuel at the discounted price. This integration means there is no additional friction in your daily routine.
For those who are a bit anxious about whether their MyKad is ready, there’s a simple way to check, as the eligibility system is linked to other government initiatives, such as the RM100 one-off Rahmah Basic Assistance (Sara) initiative.
For individuals who have received the RM100 under that programme, it means that their MyKad is working and ready for Budi95. A simple way to check this is via Touch ‘n Go e-Wallet, under the MyKasih tab. This can also be done via mobile apps like Setel by Petronas, the Shell App and CaltexGo.
For a more definitive check, you can also visit the official Budi Madani website (budimadani.gov.my) to verify your status.
If you discover that your MyKad or driving licence has expired, do not panic.
The government, through the National Registration Department (JPN) and Road Transport Department (JPJ), is actively facilitating renewals to ensure a smooth and seamless rollout for everyone.
JPN, in particular, is accommodating this need with free replacements for damaged MyKad chips available until Oct 7.
The programme is also incorporating safeguards to prevent abuse.
While you are allowed to refuel as many times as you want within the 300-litre monthly limit, the Finance Ministry has stated that the system will monitor for “unusual behaviour”.
“You can refill as many times as you want. What we are looking at is unusual behaviour, like people trying to abuse the system by topping up repeatedly in a short span and reselling fuel. That is what we will block,” the Ministry said in a statement.
This monitoring is a necessary measure to protect the integrity of the subsidy system while allowing legitimate users to refuel at their convenience.
In simple terms, the Budi95 programme is designed to be user-friendly and highly accessible.
By leveraging the MyKad and eliminating the need for applications, the government is making a clear statement about delivering a practical, efficient and hassle-free benefit directly to the Malaysian people.
To find out more, visit www.budimadani.gov.my. For enquiries, call the Budi Madani official hotline at 1-300-88-9595 or email tanya@budi95.gov.my.
