Targeted petrol subsidy to start

KUALA LUMPUR: The targeted subsidy for RON95 petrol will be rolled out at the end of the month, says Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

He said the government is in the final stage of concluding eligibility criteria and implementation methods for the subsidy with stakeholders.

He said the subsidy targeting mechanism would be carefully designed to ensure the majority of eligible citizens are not affected.

“The government is also working with petrol station operators to ensure the MyKad payment system can be used at pumps once the RON95 subsidy is rolled out at the end of this month,” he told the Dewan Negara during question time, Bernama reported.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Rose Suryati Alang on the latest approach to fuel subsidy and the smoothness of implementation.

The plan to rationalise RON95 subsidy was announced during Budget 2024, as part of the government’s reforms aimed at curbing leakages.

In July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said that Malaysians will soon enjoy RON95 petrol at a reduced price of RM1.99 per litre under a targeted subsidy scheme, with details to be announced at the end of September.

He said the government would utilise data from the Central Database Hub (Padu) system to determine eligibility, ensuring that only those truly qualified would benefit.

“We will announce and implement this at the end of the month with assurance that eligible citizens will receive the subsidy as intended,” he said.

On another matter, Amir Hamzah said the government will not compromise with any party trying to undermine benefits the public is supposed to enjoy through the implementation of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid.

He said the ministry had taken note of several social media posts claiming that a small group of traders had increased the prices of goods.

“If this has happened, investigations and action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 can be enforced.

“The government will investigate the complaints. At the same time, we appreciate initiatives by supermarkets and grocery shops to offer special prices for the recipients,” he said.