Kuala lumpur: Over 11 million Malaysians have benefited from the Budi Madani targeted subsidy system for RON95 petrol (BUDI95), as announced by the Ministry of Economy. This initiative has allowed these citizens to enjoy RON95 petrol at a price of RM1.99 per litre as of October 13, 2025.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Economy has emphasized that the eligibility list for BUDI95 recipients is regularly updated based on the newest data to ensure that all eligible Malaysians are included in the programme. The government is also addressing concerns about residents who lack e-wallets or live in areas with limited internet access. To tackle these challenges, various methods of eligibility verification and payment have been introduced, including physical checks via MyKad terminals and cash payments at petrol station counters, to ensure fairness and inclusivity across regions.

The ministry’s response came following a query from Riduan Rubin (Independent-Tenom) in the Dewan Rakyat. Rubin expressed concerns about the potential impact of using the Central Database Hub (PADU) for determining RON95 petrol subsidies on the people of Sabah, particularly in light of the digital divide, poor internet connectivity, and delays in data updates. The Ministry of Economy reassured that the government has considered the needs of Sabah and Sarawak residents who rely on petrol-powered boats due to the absence of driving licences.

In collaboration with state governments, a list of boat users has been identified to ensure they receive their monthly quota of 300 litres under the BUDI95 programme. As of early October 2025, over 23,000 boat users without driving licences, along with fishermen, have been approved as recipients under the scheme.