Kuala lumpur: The government has been urged to consider granting an automatic additional quota of 300 litres of subsidised petrol under the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative for active e-hailing drivers holding both a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence and an E-Hailing Vehicle Permit (EVP). Chiew Choon Man (PH-Miri) highlighted implementation gaps that need addressing to ensure targeted subsidies effectively reach eligible groups, particularly those relying on e-hailing as their main income source.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chiew argued that the current quota review mechanism for e-hailing drivers' fuel usage allegedly overlooks factors such as trip cancellations, traffic congestion, and the distance travelled to passenger pick-up points. He proposed that drivers with both PSV and EVP automatically receive an additional 300 litres under BUDI95, raising the monthly quota for active e-hailing drivers to 600 litres. This proposal was made during the debate on the Supply Bill (Budget 2026) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Earlier, the government announced that eligibility for additional fuel quota under the BUDI95 initiative for e-hailing and p-hailing drivers would be determined based on their fuel consumption levels. Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (PH-Port Dickson) noted that overall annual savings of more than RM15 billion from the implementation of targeted subsidies represent a significant success in strengthening the country's financial management with a focus on public welfare.
He mentioned that the revenue and savings generated could enhance the government's capacity to finance public programmes, including Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), and additional allocations for low-income states without incurring new debt. The issue of targeted subsidy implementation was also raised by other Members of Parliament, including Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) and Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin), who emphasized the need for further improvements to ensure aid reaches its intended recipients and to prevent leakages.
Hassan further proposed introducing a wealth tax on ultra-rich individuals and billionaires in Malaysia to boost national revenue without burdening low-income citizens. He stated that this proposal aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's stance that taxing the poor would be immoral. Hassan explained that the definition of millionaire refers to Malaysians with assets worth at least US$1 million, not RM1 million, and noted that the number of millionaires in Malaysia is projected to rise significantly by 2027.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, before adjourning the sitting, announced that 159 Members of Parliament had participated in the debate on Budget 2026, which concluded today, with the ministerial winding-up session set to begin tomorrow for four days.