Chin Tong denies announcing Budi95 quota cut

Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong has clarified that he did not announce any government plan to reduce the monthly quota for subsidised RON95 fuel, after his remarks earlier today drew widespread attention.

Liew said that his comments on the government’s strategy to manage the global energy crisis had been misconstrued and taken out of context.

“In no instance did I announce anything on behalf of the government, and in no instance did I announce the 150 litres limit as potential government policy,” he said in a statement today.

In his clarification, Liew said that he was only highlighting how the Budi95 could assist the government in better understanding Malaysians’ travel patterns and fuel usage.

He added that ensuring sufficient fuel supply remains top priority, and that Malaysians may eventually need to build consensus on reducing fuel consumption to stretch existing supplies.

“⁠I regret that my comments have caused a media storm, and I hope all would consider the full context of what I said,” he added.

Further potential reduction?

Liew’s clarification came after several media outlets reported him as saying that the government may lower the subsidised RON95 fuel quota under the Budi95 programme to 150 litres monthly.

The quota had been at 300 litres a month when it was first introduced, and was reduced to 200 litres in March after conflict in West Asia restricted oil exports from Gulf countries.

The remarks reported by New Straits Times, The Edge, and several other outlets were based on Liew’s comments at an event hosted by Affin Bank today.

“Initially, in September last year, everyone was given 300 litres per person per month. It has now been reduced to 200 litres. Do you see many people affected?

“Really, very few. Because the data consistently show that 80 percent of Malaysians use less than 200 litres. So the remaining 20 percent could adjust by travelling at a different hour, by reducing consumption or by paying a bit more, paying market price.

“The next step is 150 (litres); 60 percent of the population use less than 150 litres. And further down, 50 percent of the population use less than 100 litres. So at some point, I think we will have to deal with using Budi95 as a demand management tool,” NST quoted him as saying.

The reports by New Straits Times and The Edge have since been removed or amended.

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