New RON95 purchase limits for subsidised fuel and e-hailing drivers trigger mixed reactions, with some finding it sufficient and others calling for flexibility.
PETALING JAYA: Fuel is once again the topic dominating the national conversation, after new monthly fuel purchase limits were set for subsidised petrol users and an 800-litre cap was fixed for e-hailing drivers.
A full-time e-hailing driver Mohd Shahril Nizam Khalil, 49, said the 800-litre monthly fuel limit is sufficient for his current needs as he typically uses about 30 litres of fuel a day or roughly 750 litres a month based on 25 working days.
He said the allocation allows him to complete about 25 to 35 trips daily without putting him under financial strain.
“For me, it’s enough.
“My usage is around that range every month.
“So, it fits my daily operations,” he said, adding that fuel remains one of his biggest operating costs.
Mohd Shahril also expressed appreciation to the government for maintaining the current ceiling, saying it provides stability for full-time drivers who depend on e-hailing as their main source of income.
He expressed hope that the quota would not be changed in the future, saying that any cut could further squeeze earnings amid rising maintenance and other operating costs.
“I’m thankful if it stays like this but if it changes later, it will definitely affect us because our costs won’t go down.
He added that the current arrangement helps encourage more efficient fuel consumption and supports wider efforts to promote public transport and shared mobility while still accommodating those who rely on e-hailing for their livelihood.
Accountant Aina Sofea Mohd Saiful, 27, said the 200-litre monthly cap under the Budi95 scheme appears “reasonable on paper”.
She said its impact would however depend heavily on individual travel distance and daily commuting patterns.
Aina Sofea said those living farther from city centres or travelling frequently for work may feel the cap is tighter than expected.
“If you stay far from your office or you’re constantly on the road, 200 litres can disappear faster than expected.
For normal city driving it might be manageable but it really depends on your lifestyle and how often you use your car.
“Most of us just pump fuel when needed.
“We don’t really calculate litres per month.
So now people might start paying more attention, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Private employee Muhammad Arif Roslan, 38, who travels frequently for work across states, said the new monthly cap is unlikely to be sufficient for his needs, as his job requires constant intercity travel, making fuel one of his biggest monthly expenses.
“For people like me who travel from state to state for work, 200 litres is honestly not enough.
“I can easily use that in less than two weeks.
He added that while he understands the government’s intention as part of broader efforts to manage subsidy rationalisation amid global economic pressures, the allocation may still fall short of the realities faced by frequent long-distance workers.
“Maybe there should be some flexibility for people whose work depends on travel.
“Otherwise, it becomes quite a burden for us.”
