SEBERANG PERAI, Oct 1 — The implementation of the Budi95 petrol subsidy scheme in Penang has proceeded smoothly, with only one complaint due to user error on its first day of full rollout, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) said.
The government’s new targeted subsidy scheme, which offers RON95 petrol at a subsidised rate of RM1.99 per litre, was extended to all eligible Malaysians with a valid driving licence and MyKad yesterday.
State KPDN director S. Jegan said his enforcement team conducted checks at 15 of the state’s approximately 200 petrol stations yesterday and found the system was working well without technical issues.
He explained that the single complaint involved a consumer who, after getting approval for the subsidised rate, mistakenly replaced the pump nozzle before refuelling.
When he lifted it again, it registered as a new, unsubsidised transaction at the RM2.60 per litre rate.
“The Budi95 system worked well, so in this case, it was human error, not a technical issue,” Jegan said, adding that the transaction could not be reversed.
He advised consumers to follow the on-screen instructions carefully or ask station staff for assistance.
Moving forward, Jegan said KPDN will conduct random enforcement actions at all petrol stations to ensure compliance.
He said monitoring will focus on several key areas, including preventing foreign-registered vehicles from purchasing RON95 and verifying that the MyKad used for the subsidy belongs to the person making the purchase.
“There are various categories that need monitoring, so no station will be excluded from our checks,” he said during a visit to a Petronas station in Sungai Dua today.
