Malaysia evaluates quota for purchasing subsidised fuel
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - Malaysia is evaluating and adjusting the quota for purchasing subsidised fuel oil (BBM) of the RON 95 type, from 300 litres to 200 litres per person per month.
“The government will adjust the eligibility limit (quota) for RON 95 from 300 litres per month to 200 litres per month, starting 1 April 2026,” said Anwar Ibrahim in a statement monitored in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday evening.
This decision was made after the Malaysian government reviewed that the average monthly usage of RON 95 fuel per person is 100 litres, or it can be said that nearly 90 percent of Malaysians use RON 95 fuel less than 200 litres per month.
On that basis, the fuel purchase quota was reduced from a maximum of 300 litres per person per month to 200 litres per person per month.
This decision was also taken to strengthen Malaysia’s capability in facing potential crises. The decision was also made amid several viral incidents on social media showing misuse of subsidised fuel purchases.
According to the provisions, subsidised RON 95 fuel at 1.99 ringgit (Rp8,437) per litre is only intended for Malaysian citizens holding valid identity cards.
Meanwhile, foreigners are charged the normal RON 95 price of around 3.87 ringgit (Rp16,389) per litre, and for vehicles with non-Malaysian licence plates, such as from Singapore, they must purchase RON 97 fuel at around 5.15 ringgit (Rp21,812) per litre.
Viral incidents on social media include vehicles with non-Malaysian licence plates purchasing RON 95, as well as a Malaysian citizen buying subsidised RON 95 and filling it into drums or jerry cans.
In the meantime, for online transportation drivers, the Malaysian government still provides a maximum quota of up to 800 litres per month for subsidised RON 95 fuel purchases.
Based on ANTARA’s investigation in Kuala Lumpur, several online transportation drivers stated that they feel greatly helped by this policy.
However, the quota for subsidised RON 95 fuel purchases of up to 800 litres for online transportation drivers can only be obtained if they have travelled a certain distance with their vehicles.
If the vehicle mileage is less than the requirements, the purchase quota limit will be adjusted.
Furthermore, Anwar Ibrahim stated that the subsidised RON 95 fuel purchase quota for small land transportation vehicles, whether public, goods, or private, is also limited to a maximum of 50 litres per purchase.
This provision is to ensure that supplies remain available and can be distributed fairly and sufficiently.
“Without this adjustment, we are concerned about the tendency to hoard and smuggle, as has been detected so far,” he said.
Anwar also announced to the Malaysian people that Malaysian oil tankers are now permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He thanked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for this.
Anwar stated that amid potential crises that may still occur, the Malaysian government has decided to keep the subsidised RON 95 fuel price at 1.99 ringgit per litre.