PUTRAJAYA — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today defended the requirement for Malaysians to use their MyKad when purchasing subsidised RON95 petrol under the Budi95 scheme, saying it was to ensure benefits go exclusively to citizens.

He said the move was necessary to differentiate between Malaysians and foreigners, as subsidies funded by local taxpayers should not be enjoyed by non-citizens.

“When we reduce the price, what does it mean? It means it is for our citizens. How do we determine who is a citizen? You need to have a MyKad, that’s all. 

“If we don’t do it this way, others will benefit,” Anwar said in his speech at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly here.

He explained that under the new system, foreigners driving Malaysian-registered vehicles will pay the unsubsidised price of RM2.60 per litre for RON95, while those using foreign-registered vehicles will be required to purchase RON97.

Currently, RON95 is only prohibited to drivers of foreign-registered vehicles, but not to foreigners driving Malaysian vehicles.

Anwar also advised the public not to rush to petrol stations on Sept 30, when the Budi95 scheme begins for all those entitled, stressing that the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre would remain stable.

Budi95 will also be opened to all Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients early, from Sept 28.

He framed the initiative as a form of direct assistance to the public, quoting a popular song lyric: “When Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza said, ‘Malaysia Madani, Rakyat Disantuni’ (A Civil Malaysia, A Nurtured People), this is it.”

The Budi95 scheme allows eligible Malaysians to buy subsidised RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre up to 300L a month, after which the prevailing market price — currently set at RM2.60/L — will apply.