Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government has successfully saved RM800 million since the implementation of the targeted RON95 fuel subsidy programme, known as BUDI95, which came into effect on September 30.
In a Facebook post today, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the savings were achieved through more precise targeting of fuel subsidies to ensure that only Malaysian citizens benefit from them.
All the savings will be returned to the people
According to him, the move has helped curb subsidy leakages that previously involved more than 3.5 million foreign nationals, as well as tens of thousands of litres of subsidised fuel being smuggled out of the country.
All the savings will be returned to the people through the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), while also being used to upgrade clinics and hospitals, improve road conditions, and strengthen national infrastructure,” he said.
Anwar noted that the idea of targeting fuel subsidies has been discussed by successive governments for more than two decades, but none had the political courage or determination to carry it out.
The MADANI Government took this bold step through BUDI 95 to ensure that fuel subsidies are enjoyed by Malaysians, and not continuously drained by foreigners or lost through smuggling,” he added.
The prime minister stressed that the savings generated reflect the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring that public funds are channelled back to the rakyat in the form of direct assistance and improved public services.
