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MALAYSIANS who still use old-format identity card numbers on their driving licences or hold outdated military permits have been urged to update their records with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to avoid being excluded from the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) fuel subsidy programme.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today that around 150,000 licence holders – approximately 0.88% of the 17 million eligible Malaysians – have yet to update their driving licence information with their current 12-digit MyKad numbers.
“There are still a small group whose identity card numbers are not in the 12-digit format. In the past, JPJ allowed various types of identification for driving licence applications – not necessarily MyKad,” Bernama cited him saying at a press conference on Tuesday.
“The problem arises when they don’t update to a MyKad number – the BUDI95 system cannot read or verify them as eligible citizens.”
Loke said this also applies to retired police and military personnel who continue to use their "Lesen Memandu Pasukan" (Service Driving Licences), which were only valid during active service. He advised them to switch to standard civilian licences and verify their citizenship status at JPJ counters.
He added that applicants must be physically present to complete the update process, as it requires fingerprint verification.
“Data that has been updated will be submitted to the Finance Ministry for verification with the National Registration Department (JPN). If there are no outstanding issues, the information will be reflected in the BUDI95 system,” he said.
The number of daily driving licence renewals has surged to 27,000 following the announcement of the subsidy programme, up from a previous daily average of 17,000.
Loke also confirmed that Malaysian citizens holding Singapore-issued driving licences will soon be able to register for BUDI95.
“JPJ is developing an online registration system. We need a week or two to get it up and running,” he said. “Please bear with us – they won’t be able to receive BUDI95 for the next couple of weeks, but we will resolve this quickly.”
Subsidy Cut for Foreign Licence Holders Expected to Save Billions
Meanwhile, nearly 900,000 foreign nationals who hold Malaysian driving licences are no longer eligible for subsidised RON95 petrol under BUDI95, which came into full effect today.
Loke revealed that this group includes 878,279 non-citizens, of whom 18,710 hold permanent resident status.
“These individuals may have valid driving licences, but they are not Malaysian citizens. That means they will no longer qualify for subsidised petrol,” he said.
“For years, our government has inadvertently extended fuel subsidies to nearly 900,000 foreign nationals, many of whom own cars and drive here. Through BUDI95, we are now shifting to a targeted approach – subsidies will only go to Malaysian citizens.”
He added that foreign licence holders will now pay the unsubsidised price of RM2.60 per litre for RON95, compared to the subsidised rate of RM1.99 for eligible Malaysians.
“This shift will save the government billions of ringgit,” Loke said.
Under BUDI95, around 16 million Malaysians aged 16 and above who possess both a MyKad and an active Malaysian driving licence are entitled to purchase up to 300 litres of subsidised RON95 petrol per month. The volume cap was set based on data from the Department of Statistics (DOSM). - September 30, 2025
