Extra Budi95 quotas for e-hailing, boat operators under review

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has affirmed that Putrajaya is in the process of engaging with e-hailing operators to identify drivers eligible for additional subsidised RON95 petrol quotas.

In the Prime Minister’s Office daily briefing today, senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said the matter is expected to be finalised sometime this week.

“The Finance Ministry, together with the Land Public Transport Agency, will finalise the application process for additional quotas with the e-hailing operators this week,” Nashrul said.

Under the current fuel subsidy plan, dubbed Budi95, all Malaysians with a valid driving licence can buy RON95 at RM1.99 per litre, with a monthly limit of 300 litres.

In unveiling the plan, Anwar previously said e-hailing drivers can apply for a higher ceiling.

Foreigners driving locally registered vehicles are to pay the market price for RON95, estimated to be around RM2.60 per litre, while foreign-registered vehicles will still be limited to RON97.

Rollout in stages

The scheme was implemented in stages, with the armed forces and police first to get the subsidies on Sept 27, followed by Rahmah Necessities Aid recipients on Sept 28, before a full rollout today.

Nashrul said today that based on the 300 litres limit, each eligible individual receives a subsidy benefit of up to RM183 per month.

“This step demonstrates the government’s efforts in fulfilling its promise to protect the people by ensuring they continue to enjoy RON95 petrol, coupled with savings to ease the people’s burden,” he added.

He also said that the government has agreed to consider making boat operators, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak, eligible for subsidised RON95 prices.

“The government is working with the relevant agencies and state governments to collect data on boat owners so that these consumers are not left out from enjoying the benefits of Budi95,” he noted.

Anwar earlier said the government will review and consider appeals from fishermen, smallholders and boat owners who use RON95 petrol to ensure that they are not left out of the subsidy scheme.

The prime minister said the government is aware of instances where small-scale fishermen and boat owners rely on RON95 petrol without having a driving licence registered under their names.

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