KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Full-time e-hailing drivers, together with registered boat owners, will receive additional RON95 petrol subsidy limits before mid-October, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

E-hailing drivers need not apply individually for the additional quota. The government will manage the process by dealing directly with e-hailing operator companies, who will be making the applications by bulk, the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday night.

And in recognition of water transport needs, Putrajaya has agreed to extend Budi95 eligibility to Malaysian citizens who are registered boat owners, and they do not need to possess a valid driving licence to qualify for the subsidy.

"The federal government is currently working with relevant state government agencies, such as the Sarawak Rivers Board and the Sabah Ports and Harbours Department, to identify and verify registered boat owners," the ministry said.

In addition, the MOF said the RON95 subsidy cap of 300 litres per month for eligible citizens was renewed on Oct 1 and will continue to refresh automatically on the first of every month.

The Budi Madani initiative, which was introduced in stages from Sept 27, was fully rolled out on Tuesday (Sept 30) to cover 16 million Malaysians.

Citizens aged 16 and above with a MyKad and an active driving licence are entitled to purchase RON95 at RM1.99 per litre, up to the 300-litre monthly limit.

So far, the programme has benefitted over three million users, the ministry said, with total subsidised purchases reaching RM255.6 million, involving 128.4 million litres of fuel and RM67 million in subsidies disbursed by the government.