STR Recipients Grateful For BUDI95 Initiative, Say Every Sen Counts

ARAU, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Although the price reduction for RON95 petrol from RM2.05 to RM1.99 may seem small, the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative is providing welcome relief to families, with recipients affirming its positive impact on their daily lives.

This was echoed by single mother Sufina Mohd Noh, 50, a recipient of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), who said the initiative has given her some much-needed “breathing space”. 

Earning about RM1,700 a month as a clerk at a private company, she admitted that fuel costs for work and school commutes, as well as other errands, often constrained other family expenses. 

“My office in Kangar is about 20 kilometres from home. I usually fill up my Perodua Viva with around RM60, but with BUDI95 I can now save about RM10,” she said.

Sufina from Kampung Simpang Sanglang believes the government's targeted subsidy is a clear and caring initiative that benefits people struggling with the cost of living.

Echoing this sentiment, Mastura Azizan, a 44-year-old food stall operator from Simpang Empat, said the aid directly helps ease her family's daily expenses.

"My husband is a padi farmer, so any form of assistance that reduces our financial burden is greatly appreciated. Even if it's small, it has a positive effect on our family," said the mother of four, aged between five and 14.

Mastura added that every ringgit saved from subsidised petrol will be reallocated to other essential needs, such as school expenses and groceries.

Observations by Bernama at multiple state petrol stations confirm a smooth and systematic rollout of the subsidy process for STR recipients.

Since the programme's launch on Sept 27, subsidised RON95 petrol purchases have already reached RM3.7 million as of noon yesterday. The initial phase involved members of the police force and national security forces.

Second Finance Minister, Datuk Amir Hamzah Azizan, announced that BUDI95 was expanded to over five million B40 STR recipients starting yesterday.

The initiative will be fully implemented tomorrow, encompassing 16 million Malaysians with a valid MyKad and driver's license.

-- BERNAMA