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SHAH ALAM – The restoration of the BUDI95 petrol subsidy quota to 300 litres a month from today is expected to provide relief to Malaysians, particularly those who rely heavily on private vehicles for their daily activities.
The move will be particularly meaningful for people who travel long distances to work or frequently use their vehicles for family commitments, amid continued concerns over the cost of living.
While the increase in quota may appear modest, petrol remains a significant component of household expenditure, with changes in fuel consumption directly affecting family budgets.
The restoration of the 300-litre quota should therefore be viewed as an effort to ensure eligible Malaysians continue to benefit from the petrol subsidy provided by the government.
However, the additional allocation must not become an opportunity for abuse.
Individuals should not exploit the quota by filling subsidised petrol into drums or large containers for resale.
The situation would be more serious if the subsidised fuel were eventually sold to foreigners, as this would undermine the purpose of BUDI95 and divert the subsidy away from those it is intended to assist.
To prevent such leakages, enforcement should not be limited to action after abuse has occurred. Monitoring and control mechanisms should instead be strengthened to identify suspicious purchasing patterns at an early stage.
Consumers also have a role to play by using the 300-litre quota responsibly. The actions of a small number of individuals could otherwise raise questions about the effectiveness of the entire subsidy system.
The government, meanwhile, needs to ensure that the BUDI95 mechanism remains transparent and effective so that Malaysians who genuinely require assistance are not disadvantaged by those seeking to exploit the system.
The restoration of the 300-litre monthly quota is ultimately a positive development for eligible Malaysians, but its intended benefits can only be sustained if the subsidy is effectively protected from leakages and abuse.
