Gov’t pays over RM3 billion monthly for fuel subsidies

The ministry of finance (MoF) has revealed it costs the government over RM3 billion a month to subsidise RON 95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre under the Budi95 programme as well as keeping the price of diesel at RM2.15 per litre for vehicles in the public transport and goods land transport sectors.

In a release posted yesterday that included fuel prices for the week of March 19 to 25, the ministry said that although domestic fuel prices are influenced by international price movements, it has chosen not to fully pass on the increase to consumers.

As a result of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, several fuels are now more expensive. RON 97 petrol, which was RM3.85 per litre last week, is now 70 sen dearer at RM4.55 per litre, while the retail price of Euro 5 B10 and B20 diesel is up 80 sen to RM4.72 per litre. Diesel sold in East Malaysia remained at RM2.15 per litre.

Gov’t pays over RM3 billion monthly for fuel subsidies

RON 95 stayed put at RM1.99 per litre under the Budi95 programme, while the unsubsidised price of the petrol saw no change from last week and continues to sell for RM3.27 per litre. The ministry said both fuels are unchanged in terms of price to ensure the rakyat are not burdened as they prepare to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

It added that over 400,000 vehicles from the public transport and goods land transport sectors such as express buses, taxis, lorries and goods trailers benefit from the Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS) and Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS).

“Although Malaysia is an oil-producing country, petroleum products for domestic use are still sourced from the global market. Therefore, domestic fuel prices remain influenced by international price movements,” the ministry said in its release. “Despite rising global oil prices, fuel prices in Malaysia remain among the lowest in the region due to the government’s efforts to retain part of the subsidies to protect the people and ensure domestic economic stability,” it added.

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