While everyone with a Malaysian IC is enjoying subsidised petrol, Prime Minister Anwar declared that he will not be using it.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that he continues to pay the full market price of RM2.60 per litre for RON95 petrol, despite being eligible for the RM1.99 subsidised rate under the government’s BUDI95 targeted subsidy programme.
Ensure the subsidies are distributed fairly
Speaking at the October 2025 Assembly of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in Putrajaya today, Anwar said the move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that subsidies are distributed fairly and targeted only to those who truly need them, rather than extended universally, including to higher-income individuals.
I pay RM2.60 per litre for RON95, even though I’m eligible for the subsidised price of RM1.99,” he said.
Also present at the event were Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.
Reflecting targeted fairness and fiscal discipline
Anwar explained that maintaining the RM1.99 subsidised price for local citizens and RM2.60 for foreign nationals demonstrates the government’s concern for social justice and the importance of sound fiscal management.
He added that the government remains cautious in implementing subsidy rationalisation, ensuring that any adjustments are made gradually and without sparking public confusion or dissatisfaction — citing previous subsidy reforms involving electricity and chicken prices as examples.
The Prime Minister also shared that removing chicken subsidies had saved the government around RM1 billion annually, without disrupting market price stability.
What’s the point of increasing revenue if it burdens the people? This is not theoretical economics — this is an economy that touches people’s lives,” he stressed.
Sustainable and targeted support
Anwar reiterated that the targeted subsidy policy aims not only to protect lower-income households, but also to ensure that Malaysia’s financial system remains sustainable and transparent.
He emphasised that such measures are essential to building a more equitable economy where national resources are directed toward those who need them most.
