Kuala lumpur: The individual monthly limit for the purchase of BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) petrol will be temporarily adjusted to 200 litres per month from 300 litres per month previously, effective April 1. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the subsidised RON95 price will remain unchanged at RM1.99 per litre.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister noted that studies of current BUDI95 usage revealed that the average individual consumption is around 100 litres. This analysis shows that the majority of people use only about 100 litres of the fuel monthly, with nearly 90 per cent consuming less than 200 litres. As a result, many individuals will not be affected by this temporary adjustment.
Anwar explained that this measure is temporary, pending recovery in global oil supply and economic conditions, although there are no clear signs of improvement yet. He also stated that the fuel cap for e-hailing drivers and gig workers will remain at 800 litres per month to accommodate the nature of their work and daily operational needs.
The Prime Minister also addressed the situation in Sabah and Sarawak, where residents will continue to enjoy subsidised diesel at a price of RM2.15 per litre despite rising global prices. He emphasized the importance of vigilance in controlling and enforcing measures to curb leakages while recognizing the geographical and logistical challenges in these regions.
Additionally, Anwar announced new limits on fuel purchases to ensure fair distribution and sufficient supply. Light vehicles used for public transport, goods, and private purposes will be capped at 50 litres per transaction, vehicles under three tonnes at 100 litres, and those exceeding three tonnes at 150 litres. These adjustments aim to prevent stockpiling and smuggling, which have been issues in the past.
In his address, the Prime Minister appealed to the public for understanding, stressing that these measures were carefully considered in light of the current pressures facing the country. While many countries, including neighboring ones, have raised fuel prices, Malaysia has chosen to maintain the BUDI95 price at RM1.99 to protect the wider public interest. The Prime Minister urged the public's cooperation in preventing leakages, acknowledging that while these measures may cause some inconvenience, they are necessary for the greater good.