As discussions surrounding the proposed removal of RON95 fuel subsidies for higher-income groups continue, some Malaysians have responded with humour, joking that they may need to “divorce” their spouses just to avoid being classified as T20 households.
The jokes began circulating online after many netizens pointed out how household income classifications can sometimes feel disconnected from real-life financial struggles, especially for married couples living in cities with children.
One viral post jokingly read: “Maybe I should divorce my husband so I can go back to M40 and we just do co-living.”
Another user wrote: “Husband 6K + Wife 6K with children = T20. Meanwhile, a single individual earning 10K is still M40.”
Some even joked that getting married now feels like a “financial downgrade”, with one post saying: “After the M40 gets married, suddenly becomes T20.”
Many netizens also shared that despite technically falling under the T20 category, their lifestyles are far from luxurious due to commitments like housing loans, car instalments, insurance, childcare, and daily living costs.
The online jokes come amid growing concerns over how the government may determine eligibility if the targeted RON95 subsidy rationalisation is implemented.
Others joked that divorce lawyers may soon see more business if the subsidy cuts happen.
Although most comments were made jokingly, the discussion reflects a broader frustration among middle-income Malaysians who feel squeezed by rising living costs despite officially being considered “high-income” households.
