Kuala lumpur: Nearly 900,000 non-citizens holding Malaysian driving licences will no longer be able to purchase RON95 petrol at subsidised rates due to the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced the change, affecting 878,279 non-citizen licence holders, including 18,710 permanent residents, who previously enjoyed subsidies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this group, although eligible for Malaysian driving licences, are not citizens and thus will not receive fuel subsidies. This policy shift means that nearly 900,000 foreigners who drive and own cars in Malaysia will now pay the market price of RM2.60 per litre, aiming to save the government billions in subsidy costs.

Loke highlighted that the targeted subsidy is a fair approach, ensuring only Malaysian citizens receive government assistance, and non-citizens holding red identity cards or similar documents will not qualify. On September 22, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a reduction in the RON95 petrol price to RM1.99 per litre from RM2.05 under BUDI95's targeted subsidy mechanism.

All Malaysian citizens with valid driving licences will benefit from the subsidy. Data from the Road Transport Department and the National Registration Department indicate that over 16 million Malaysians are expected to benefit from the programme.