KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): Malaysia’s government on Tuesday expanded the Budi95 fuel subsidy programme to cover registered fishermen, private boat owners, and new drivers.

The expansion has been activated, allowing more than 31,000 people to enjoy discounted RON95 pump prices, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a statement. Additional data involving boat owners without driving licences, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, is also being finalised, the ministry noted.

At the same time, talks are ongoing between the Land Public Transport Agency and e-hailing operators on raising Budi95’s monthly limit for full-time drivers, the ministry said.

The Budi95 programme, which allows only Malaysians with valid licences to buy the most widely-used petrol grade at RM1.99 per litre, started at the end of September as part of the government’s subsidy rationalisation efforts.

However, eligible Malaysians are limited to only 300 litres a month, raising concerns among e-hailing drivers who will have to pay an unsubsidised price of RM2.60 per litre once they exhausted their quota.

The government is committed to ensure that the targeted subsidy programme runs smoothly and transparently while providing direct benefits to the people, the ministry said on Tuesday.

“The MOF together with relevant agencies will continue to monitor the implementation of Budi95 and implement improvements from time to time,” the ministry added.