SHAH ALAM – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that the fuel subsidy ceiling for e-hailing and gig workers will remain at 800 litres, despite new restrictive measures introduced to manage the nation's energy supply.
Speaking during a special address this evening, Anwar said the decision to maintain this limit was made to support those whose livelihoods depend heavily on transport.
"We are maintaining the ceiling limit of up to 800 litres [for e-hailing and gig workers], taking into account their responsibilities, their work, and the tasks they must perform," he said.
The move comes as Malaysia navigates a "deepening" crisis in the Middle East following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, which have caused spillover effects in the Gulf region. Anwar noted that these tensions have led to sanctions in the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to global oil and gas supplies.
While Malaysia remains in a stable position due to the capabilities of Petronas, the Prime Minister stressed that the government must take proactive steps to manage domestic demand and ensure food and energy security.
In the same address, he announced a tightening of the Budi95 subsidy program where starting April 1, the eligibility limit for Budi95 will be adjusted from 300 litres per month to 200 litres per month.
This adjustment is based on data showing that 90 per cent of Malaysians currently use less than 200 litres of fuel monthly. Despite the reduction in the quota, the government has pledged to keep the price of Budi95 fuel at RM1.99 per litre to shield the majority of the population from rising global costs.
To prevent "leakage" and the smuggling of subsidised fuel, the government is also implementing strict per-purchase limits for other categories namely: light vehicles (public/private/goods) with a maximum 50 litres per purchase; public/goods vehicles (under 3 tons) with a maximum 100 litres per purchase; and vehicles over 3 tons with a maximum 150 litres per purchase.
Anwar issued a stern warning against smuggling activities, stating that all government agencies will be mobilised to act against those "robbing the nation's wealth".