Academics See BUDI95 As Potential National Big Data Platform

By Mohd Khairi Idham Amran

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- The BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) initiative introduced by the government in Sept 2025 has the potential to evolve into a national-scale data management ecosystem beyond its role as a mechanism to target petrol subsidies.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Department of Computing and Artificial Intelligence senior lecturer Dr Mohamad Shukor Talib, said the initiative represents a strategic big data platform as it involves the profiles and economic behaviour of nearly 33.4 million residents.

He said the data includes critical information such as user profiles, transaction patterns, as well as the time and volume of monthly petrol consumption, which could support future national planning.

“Big data management requires large storage capacity and efficient algorithms to ensure quick access and data accuracy, while emphasising security to prevent loss or manipulation,” he told Bernama.

Mohamad Shukor said machine learning technology enables algorithms to analyse and learn data patterns, generating insights that could assist the government.

“These algorithms can forecast future petrol consumption and classify BUDI95 usage into relevant groups,” he said.

He added that such projections could take into account factors including time, peak periods, festive seasons and vehicle types, allowing the government to identify consumption profiles ranging from low users to those exceeding subsidy limits.

Meanwhile, UTM Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying senior lecturer Dr Mohammad Zakri Tarmidi said the effectiveness of BUDI95 could be enhanced by integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology with location-based analysis.

“With geospatial data, authorities can map areas with a high concentration of residents eligible for BUDI95,” he said.

He said location-based analysis could help identify consumption hotspots, stabilise petrol logistics particularly in rural areas, and detect unusual usage trends through integration with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors.

Mohammad Zakri said geospatial data integration could also help identify “white areas” with limited access to petrol stations, enabling the government to plan incentives for new stations.

“Without geospatial data, BUDI95 information would become ‘blind data’, meaning it lacks location context.

“With geospatial integration, data visualisation improves and enables more accurate and efficient decision-making,” he said.

Both academics agreed that data security and privacy must be prioritised, including the use of anonymisation techniques and end-to-end encryption to ensure transparency and maintain public trust.

Under the BUDI95 programme, Malaysian citizens aged 16 and above who hold a MyKad and an active driving licence are eligible to purchase subsidised RON95 petrol of up to 300 litres per month at RM1.99 per litre.

-- BERNAMA