RM3.7 Million RON95 Purchases Made Since Launch Of BUDI95 - Amir Hamzah

LABUAN, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- A total of RM3.7 million worth of RON95 petrol has been purchased at the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre as of 12 noon today, since the launch of the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative yesterday.

Finance Minister II Datuk Amir Hamzah Azizan said the amount involved more than 90,000 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) out of over 300,000 eligible recipients, making them the first group to benefit from the initiative.

He said beginning today, BUDI95 was expanded to over five million recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) under the B40 category, before full implementation on Sept 30, covering 16 million Malaysians with MyKad and valid driving licences.

“Based on our nationwide observation today, STR recipients have already started using the subsidy scheme. As of 12 noon, over 200,000 STR recipients have used the facility, while the total purchase value is still being compiled,” he told reporters after visiting the Petronas petrol station in Jalan Pohon Batu here today.

Amir Hamzah, who began his two-day working visit to Labuan today, said reports from the ground showed that BUDI95 operations were running smoothly, with the system stable and MyKad verification at petrol station terminals functioning properly.

However, he acknowledged there had been minor technical complaints, mainly involving inactive driving licences, unreadable MyKad chips and the use of old identity card numbers.

“To resolve these issues, we are working with government agencies such as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and National Registration Department (JPN), and they are ready to extend their operational support,” he said.

Amir Hamzah added the BUDI95 rollout would help reduce subsidy leakages and ensure targeted distribution to the people.

“What we want is for the assistance to truly reach the rakyat. By using the national identity card verification system, it also instils a sense of privilege as Malaysian citizens,” he said.

--BERNAMA