KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 10): The government will maintain the existing household income classifications of B40 (Bottom 40% income group), M40 and T20, said Acting Economy Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

When winding up the Budget 2026 committee stage debate in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, Amir Hamzah said that while the existing classifications remain, a review of the categorisation is currently being carried out based on current needs.

The proposed change in income classification was first introduced by former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli last year, following the government’s announcement to shift the RON95 fuel subsidy from a blanket to a targeted system.

The initial plan aimed to help the government identify eligible recipients under the RON95 subsidy rationalisation programme.

However, Rafizi resigned from the Cabinet in May this year after his defeat in the PKR party elections.

The government has since proceeded with the targeted RON95 fuel-subsidy plan through the Budi95 initiative.

Instead of using income groups to define eligibility, the government limited the programme to Malaysian citizens with valid driving licence, which would allow the purchase of RON95 at RM1.99 per litre with a monthly quota of 300 litres.

The ministry is utilising the Central Database Hub (Padu) as a key reference system in implementing the targeted RON95 fuel subsidy, as well as other social assistance and poverty alleviation programmes, Amir Hamzah noted.

Separately, Amir Hamzah said the Economy Ministry’s legal advisory division is currently reviewing the draft Statistics Bill, with a Cabinet memorandum on the Bill expected to be tabled in December.

He said the Department of Statistics Malaysia had conducted a series of zonal engagement sessions from September to October 2025, as recommended by the Attorney General’s Chambers.

The sessions involved various stakeholders — including federal and state agencies, local authorities, industry players, associations and academia — to gather feedback and input for improving the draft bill.

Previously, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin reportedly said the proposed law seeks to replace the Statistics Act 1965, strengthen the department’s functions, address the growing complexity of data needs, and enhance the national statistical ecosystem.