KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya has saved RM800mil through the implementation of the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) programme since Sept 30, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the savings resulted from better targeting of fuel subsidies so that they are enjoyed only by Malaysians.
This effectively curbed leakages that previously benefited more than 3.5 million foreigners as well as fuel smuggling involving tens of thousands of litres, he said.
“Every ringgit saved is channelled back to the people through initiatives such as the Rahmah Cash Contribution and the Rahmah Basic Contribution, in addition to upgrading clinics and hospitals, improving roads and strengthening infrastructure,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Anwar said targeted fuel subsidies had been debated for more than 20 years by successive governments.
However, none had the courage or political will to implement them until the Madani government took the bold step of introducing Budi95, he said.
Under the Budi95 programme, all MyKad holders aged 16 and above who possess a valid driving licence are eligible to purchase subsidised RON95 fuel of up to 300 litres per month at RM1.99 per litre, compared with RM2.60 per litre without the subsidy.
Since the Budi95 initiative was launched on Sept 30, 16.55 million Malaysians have been approved to enjoy subsidised RON95.
Average usage among private recipients stood at 98.2 litres per month in October, well below the 300-litre monthly quota.
Only 0.7% of all beneficiaries fully utilised their quota before the end of the month.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the Madani government will continue to refine the Budi95 scheme, including reassessing the fuel quota of e-hailing drivers to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
For full-time e-hailing drivers, the monthly limit was doubled to 600 litres on Oct 13, benefiting nearly 58,000 drivers.
As of Oct 31, a total of 13.1 million Malaysians have used Budi95, spending a total of RM2.66bil while enjoying total savings of about RM800mil in just the first month of the programme.
