KUALA LUMPUR: The government is channelling RM800 million in savings from its targeted petrol subsidy programme, Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95), into public initiatives nationwide.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the targeted approach not only conserves public funds but also redirects resources to programmes that directly improve the welfare and quality of life of Malaysians.
“The bold step under Budi95 has allowed us to save RM800 million so far. Every ringgit has been returned to the people through Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), in addition to upgrading clinics and hospitals, improving road infrastructure and strengthening national facilities,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said targeted fuel subsidies had been discussed by successive governments for more than 20 years, but none had the political courage to implement them effectively.
“For more than two decades, successive administrations considered targeted fuel subsidies, yet none had the resolve and political will to act.
“The Madani government has taken this bold step through Budi95 to ensure subsidies benefit only Malaysians, preventing misuse by more than 3.5 million foreign residents and the smuggling of tens of thousands of litres of fuel abroad,” he said.
A total of 16 million eligible Malaysians have begun benefiting from the initiative, with the price of RON95 fixed at RM1.99 per litre, compared with RM2.05 previously. Each eligible individual is entitled to up to 300 litres per month.
The rollout of Budi95 began in stages from Sept 27, initially covering 300,000 police and army personnel, before being extended the following day to STR recipients in the B40 group and nationwide on Sept 30.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
