The Cost of Petrol in Malaysia
When I first started work in the mid-90's, I remember filling up petrol on my Bengmobile at the rate of RM1.10 per litre. All was good but there was one time in the early twenty-teens that due to the World's Oil Crisis, the prince went up as far as RM2.90 per litre. That was a heavy toll for car owners like me since at that time, I was traveling at an average of 100 Km daily. So, paying for fuel at an average of four days can be financially draining.
Since then, the Government has been trying to keep price of fuel down but at the same time, highlighting the cost of maintaining the fuel subsidies. In the meantime, the price is now RM2.05 per litre for RON95. The RON97 also suffered the same fate with its prices fluctuating every now and then and the Diesel was no different which saw its prices go up after the Crisis.
Road vehicles, to us, is really an extension to our legs in terms of our daily life. Without them, we are not able to generate any income.
Malaysians can get fuel cheaper
There are a lot of theories and all coupled with illegal siphoning but to me, the main thing was, I am allowed to have a 300L quota at the price of RM1.99 per litre. That is all I needed to hear because, the rest are just noise and does not contribute to my quality of Life or its Future.
So, with the current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or better known as PMX (and still maybe, DSAI) tackled this issue after it has been delayed for so long. I'm so jaded with Politics and stuff nowadays that as long as anyone who can deliver a cheaper petrol price I'd vote for them. Simple as that.
Just as long as I can prove I'm a Malaysian and that is enough for me.
The BUDI95 aka Budi MADANI RON95
In short, by September 30th, 2025, if you're not Malaysian, you pay for RM2.60 per litre of petrol.
There. Simple as that. This will solve the majority of the issues. And so, you can use your IC (Identification Card) which is effectively a SmartCard, the Touch n Go App that ties with other Petrol Stations, and the proprietary Petrol Company Apps.
With weeks leading to this, most Social Media has instructions showing how they can be used so that when September ends, most of the problems would be eliminated. Except for one thing. Those dumbf@rks never tell you that when you pay in Ringgit, the pump dispenses that equivalent in Litres.In one glance, you'd think you're being overcharged.
And within days, after many Malaysians went to the pumps (and social media) did someone else clarified the matter. So you'd think those morons who approved and posted the earlier ones are just copypasta people.
Was I charged more?
On that very first day, it was my turn to try out the BUDI95 scheme...
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| This was the splash page when I first opened the App. |
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| Based on the GPS location from my Mobile Phone, I am at a Caltex Techron Station and so, the Station of choice was available. Then I proceed to specify which pump I'm at. The screen then gives me a QR Code which the Guy at the Counter scans and activates the pump. |
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| I have less than 5 minutes to fuel up. Not. |
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| Heck! I went above RM50.00! Why didn't the pump stop! |
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| Once I am done, the App reflects the transaction data. This is so weird. I should be getting 25.127 litres for my RM50.00 |
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| Strange that I still have some balance left from the RM50.00 I transferred earlier. |
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| Seems like I got an RM10.04 back... |
I kinda panicked a little when the pump did not stop at the RM50.00, but then, looking at the litres section, it was at 20.08, far short of the 25 or so litres. I surmised it would have stopped at that stage but now, it was too late since I have returned the nozzle. So, I was 'refunded' the RM10.04... sheesh.
