T15 May Lose Access To Ron95 Subsidy In Next Phase Says Pm S Aide

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The top 15 percent (T15) income group may lose access to the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) fuel subsidy in the next phase, said an aide to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar’s political secretary, Kamil Abdul Munim, who serves him in the Finance Ministry, said the phased implementation of the programme is to ensure subsidies are distributed in a more structured manner and to prevent leakage.
He added that the current phase of the programme focuses on ensuring all Malaysian citizens with valid identity cards and driving licences are eligible to purchase RON95 at RM1.99 per litre.
“After this first phase, we will first assess how the implementation works. From there, improvements will be made. For example, it is possible that the top 15 percent (T15) income group may no longer be included in the list of RON95 subsidy recipients.
ADS“We want to ensure the transition process causes the least possible difficulty while also reducing technical issues in terms of implementation and mechanisms.
“The goal is to ensure this policy runs smoothly and fulfils the government’s objectives,” Kamil said at a press conference in Ipoh, after an event launch, according to an audio recording obtained by Malaysiakini.
On Sept 22, Anwar announced that the government will be subsidising RON95 petrol only for Malaysians, under Budi95.
The scheme enables all Malaysians with a valid driving licence to buy RON95 at RM1.99 per litre, with a monthly limit of 300 litres. Anwar said e-hailing drivers will be exempted from the cap.
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.
The scheme is scheduled to be implemented in stages, with the armed forces and police first to get the subsidies on Sept 27, followed by Rahmah Cash Aid recipients on Sept 28, before a full rollout on Sept 30.
Popular policy regardless of class or race
Earlier, PKR’s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim lauded the move, saying the decision to maintain RON95 subsidies for all Malaysians not only eases household burdens, but could bolster the government’s chances in the next general election.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul KarimHe said the policy strikes a rare balance by pleasing the poor and middle class while not drawing anger from the wealthy.
“The poor (B40) and the middle class (M40) are pleased, while the wealthy (T20) are not upset.
“Such a policy is popular among the people regardless of class or race. There is nothing wrong with the government implementing a popular policy. After all, state and general elections are not far off,” he noted.
Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan yesterday defended Putrajaya’s decision to provide RON95 subsidies for all Malaysians, regardless of income, despite a cut to projected savings.
The minister emphasised that the estimated RM2.5 billion to RM4 billion in savings under Budi95 should not be dismissed as “chump change”. - Mkini

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