Budi95: Driving license application expected to increase 

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Driving Institutes Association (PIMA) expects the number of driving licence applications to rise following the implementation of the Budi Madani RON95 Programme (Budi95), which comes into effect on Sept 30.

Its president, Mat Aris Bakar, said the increase is likely due to some individuals using the licences of family members to claim the government’s allocated fuel subsidy of 300 litres per month.

He said that although it is still too early to predict the full impact of the initiative, the upward trend is expected if the allocated quota proves insufficient for daily needs.

“In a household, there may be children who are already eligible to apply for a licence but do not yet own a vehicle.

“Other family members could still use the licence to claim the petrol subsidy.

“This situation will indirectly drive up the number of new licence applications,” he told Sinar Harian.

Previously, the government announced that all Malaysians would be eligible for a monthly quota of 300 litres of subsidised RON95 petrol under Budi95, starting Sept 30.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that from Sept 30 onwards, non-citizens and large companies will not be eligible for the subsidy, which is meant for personal use.

They will instead have to pay the unsubsidised price of around RM2.60 per litre, while Malaysians will pay RM1.99.

According to Mat Aris, current records show that about 500,000 to 600,000 new licences are issued nationwide every year, with 50 per cent being motorcycle licences and the rest car licences.

“Looking at current trends, urban areas show higher demand for car licences, while rural areas record more applications for motorcycle licences.

“Teenagers aged 16 to 17 years old make up nearly 90 per cent of new licence applicants,” he added.

He also welcomed the government’s move to enforce controls through driving licences and identity cards.

He said the effort would ensure that only eligible citizens benefit from the fuel subsidy.

“This measure is also expected to reduce leakages, especially in border areas where foreign nationals have previously been able to enjoy subsidised petrol,” he said.