28/09/2025

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday SEPT 28, 2025

Smooth start for Budi95 scheme: Home Minister

No technical glitches in fuel subsidy launch GEORGE TOWN: The Finance Ministry has confirmed it has yet to receive any technical complaints over the rollout of the Budi95 subsidy initiative at petrol stations nationwide, which began yesterday. Finance Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying reported that the initial implementation of Budi95, which involves military and police personnel, proceeded smoothly across the country. “Inspections at petrol stations indicate that the MyKad system used to redeem the subsidy is functioning well. So far, there have been no reports of system disruptions or problems with fuel dispensing at any station nationwide,” she said after launching the programme at a petrol station in Jelutong. The Budi95 initiative came into effect at midnight yesterday, with about 300,000 military and police personnel being the first group to benefit from the subsidy, which fixes the price of RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, compared with the current market rate of RM2.05. Lim said under the intiative, about 16.4 million Malaysians holding active driving licences are eligible for a subsidised petrol quota of up to 300 litres per month. “Before Budi95 was introduced, the government spent about RM8 billion annually on RON95 subsidies. With this initiative, projected savings are estimated at between RM2.5 billion and RM4 billion per year, depending on global crude oil prices. These savings will be reinvested to benefit the public through various welfare programmes.” She added that any MyKad related issues can be resolved immediately with free chip replacements at the National Registration Department until Oct 7. “To purchase subsidised RON95, the MyKad must be used to verify Malaysian citizenship. In addition, the government is offering digital payment options through the Touch ’n Go eWallet and official petrol company apps such as Setel (Petronas), CaltexGO and the Shell App.” She added that the government is also working with the Road Transport Department, which has extended weekend counter operations until Oct 26 to facilitate licence renewals. – Bernama Army chief welcomes early access to scheme PORT DICKSON: Army Chief Jen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has described the government’s Budi95 initiative as a reflection of its concern for the welfare of Malaysians, including security personnel from the Armed Forces and police. He stressed that the incentive not only helps ease the cost of living but also represents recognition of the sacrifices made by security personnel in safeguarding the nation’s peace and stability. “We are deeply grateful to the government for this initiative and hope it will continue for the well-being of the country’s security forces,” he said after officiating at the Passing Out Parade for the 203/2025 Male Recruit Training Series yesterday. Muhammad Hafizuddeain expressed hope that the government would continue prioritising the welfare of security forces to further motivate them in discharging their duty to protect the nation’s sovereignty and security. Army officer Lt-Kol Muhammad Afifi Azham Mohd, 36, said granting subsidies to security forces as early recipients was a clear recognition of the frontline’s role in protecting the country. “The incentive is seen as a proactive measure by the government to help ease the people’s cost of living. “We are grateful for this noble effort, which clearly demonstrates the government’s concern for the people.” – Bernama

SANDAKAN: The rollout of the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) initiative for the first group involving police and Armed Forces personnel was successfully implemented smoothly yesterday without any issues. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the first day of implementation also served as a stress test for the system and petrol stations that had prepared ahead of the wider rollout of Budi95 on Tuesday, Bernama reported. “We can consider this as a process to assess the system’s capacity so there will be no disruptions. We will observe Police and Armed Forces personnel among first to benefit as system, petrol stations undergo stress test during rollout

(FIFA) against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalised players, Saifuddin stressed that the Home Ministry processes citizenship applications strictly in line with the Federal Constitution under Article 19(1) on naturalisation. “The granting of citizenship is a highly meticulous process carried out within the country’s legal framework. Applications under Article 19(1) can be made if the applicant has ancestral lineage that can be traced back to Malaysia.” FIFA’s disciplinary committee sanctioned FAM and seven national players after they were found to have violated Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code concerning falsified documents. In a statement, FIFA said FAM had submitted forged documents to validate the eligibility of certain players, enabling them to be fielded in official matches.

further when it is used more widely among Rahmah Cash Aid recipients,” he said during a visit to the Petronas petrol station in Jalan Bokara yesterday. Recipients in the B40 group will begin receiving the subsidy today followed by 16 million Malaysians aged 16 and above with a MyKad and valid driving licence on Sept 30. In a related development, Saifuddin revealed that a total of 13,632 MyKad replacements for damaged chips were recorded over the past five days. “Before the call for citizens to renew or replace faulty MyKad, the average number of replacements was about 1,000 a day. However, from Sept 21 until now, the figure has reached 13,632.” He said the sharp increase clearly showed public awareness on the need to have a functional MyKad for use under the Budi95 scheme. Meanwhile, commenting on the sanctions imposed by the International Federation of Association Football

Licence renewals surge by 53% after announcement MALACCA: The Road Transport Saifuddin (right) observing a policeman filling up petrol for his motorcycle. – BERNAMAPIC

requirements to maintain optimal efficiency. This effort is further strengthened through strategic cooperation with related agencies, particularly the Finance Ministry, to ensure that the licence renewal process and implementation of Budi95 runs smoothly without disruption.” He added that RTD fully supports government policies and is providing the public with ample opportunities to renew their licences. “From this weekend until Oct 26, all RTD counters handling driving licence matters and traffic summons blacklist checks, including enforcement counters, will be open on Saturdays and Sundays in every state.”

and MyEG,” he said. He explained that states observing Friday weekends, namely Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu also recorded higher numbers of licence renewal transactions on Sept 26 compared with other states following RTD’s initiative to open counters on public holidays, Bernama reported. Aedy Fadly said the trend showed that more licence holders were taking proactive steps to renew their licences to benefit from Budi95, while also reflecting growing awareness of the legal requirement to hold a valid licence under the Road Transport Act 1987. “RTD is committed to ensuring effective operational management nationwide by continuously monitoring field

Department (RTD) has recorded a 53% increase in Competent Driver’s Licence (CDL) renewals nationwide following the government’s announcement of the Budi95 subsidy programme on Sept 22. RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli revealed that average daily CDL renewals before the announcement stood at about 17,000 transactions, but the figure surged to 26,000 per day after. “According to our records, 23,125 transactions were recorded on Sept 23, rising slightly by 0.15% to 23,160 on Sept 24. The number then jumped sharply by 45.6% to 33,714 transactions on Sept 25, through RTD’s existing channels and strategic partners such as Pos Malaysia