The 6 sen reduction in RON95 for all Malaysians under the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95), effective tomorrow (30 September), is great news for many vehicle users. The member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), however, doesn’t think that BUDI95 is a great idea.
Dr Halimah Ali said that the implementation of BUDI95 does not have a big impact, claiming that the price reduction in RON95 does not solve the root issue that many Malaysians are struggling with.
In her Facebook post this morning (29 September), Dr Halimah said the 6 sen price reduction for RON95 is merely a small step that would not have any major impact on the people’s economy. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kapar also claimed that BUDI95 makes the government appear to be caring about its people, but in reality, it did not help address the burden of the increasingly pressing cost of living.
BUDI95 was expanded to more than five million recipients of the B40 category’s Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), before its full implementation tomorrow.
“It looks like help, but it’s not.”
In her statement, Dr Halimah said that saving a few ringgit a month from filling up the car with petrol does not offset the real burden borne by the people.
“The cost of groceries, house rent, utility bills and service charges continue to increase, while people’s salaries remain static.”
She added that the government’s move to lower oil prices is not a comprehensive economic policy, saying it failed to solve fundamental problems such as subsidy leakage, high dependence on food imports, and the government’s inability to control rising prices of goods.
“Businessmen and traders rarely lower the prices of goods even though oil prices are lowered.”
“In the end, the people do not experience the real benefits, but instead continue to be burdened with the cost of living without an effective government strategy,” Dr Halimah said.
Over 16 million Malaysians with MyKad and a driving license (CDL) are expected to benefit from the subsidy.
What do you think of both the government’s move and Halimah’s take on this matter?
