Bandar Tun Razak BN division will provide free petrol to motorcycle riders on the first day of every month.

The inaugural event was held this afternoon at a petrol station in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur which saw BN activists pumping petrol for over a hundred motorcycle riders.

This scheme was limited to a budget of RM5,000 and only underbone motorcycles with an engine capacity of not more than 150cc would qualify.

All motorcycles that filled up at the station today were attached with a sticker bearing the phrase "BTR Dihatiku #BetterNation (BTR is in my heart #BetterNation)".

Division head Rizalman Mokhtar said his men served about 800 motorcyclists in two hours. He said the programme was meant to help the public who are facing financial strain.

"We have decided to run this programme once a month no matter if the prices of fuel go up or down... The amount depends on the size of their tank," he said, adding that the programme would go on indefinitely for now.

'Not election-related'

Rizalman also said that this had nothing to do with the upcoming general election, although some BN activists could be heard urging motorcyclists to vote for BN.

Some members clad in blue were seen recording the names, identity card, plate and phone numbers of the motorcyclists.

When asked about it, Rizalman answered that it was to prevent people from refuelling.

The Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat has consistently been a BN stronghold until 2008 when PKR's Abdul Khalid Ibrahim won the election. 

The free petrol programme was held after RON95 and RON97 petrol prices went up by 20 sen per litre, while diesel prices have gone up by 10 sen per litre, effective today.

RON95 petrol prices, the most commonly used type of petrol, now cost RM2.30 a litre. Prices have gone up by 60 sen since September last year, a 35 percent increase.

A similar programme was held by Segambut DAP branches two weeks ago. Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said his party members had decided to give out free petrol instead of spending money on a Chinese New Year event.