BUDI95 Petrol Subsidy: Who Qualifies, How Much You Save, and How to Check

Under Malaysia's targeted fuel subsidy framework (BUDI MADANI / BUDI95), eligible Malaysian citizens can purchase RON95 petrol at a capped price of RM1.99 per litre at petrol pumps nationwide.

Rather than relying on income-tier cutoffs or bank transfers, verification happens instantly at the petrol pump using your MyKad or integrated e-wallet apps. However, understanding your quota balance, licence requirements, and how BUDI interact with diesel vehicles is critical to avoiding unexpected charges at market rates.

This guide breaks down eligibility criteria and details special edge cases (e-hailing drivers, company vehicles, and diesel owners).

Starting 30th September, the Malaysian government's Budi Madani RON 95 (Budi95) subsidy will kick in with the goal of easing the cost of living while curbing subsidy leakages. The price of RON 95 under this scheme will be fixed at RM1.99 per litre for the first 300 litres purchased, with any additional fuel purchased priced at market rates. This is a crucial move away from the previous blanket RON 95 subsidy and a move towards a more targeted, needs-based system.

BUDI MADANI Fuel Subsidy Framework at a Glance

How Budi95 works

Under the Budi95 subsidy, all eligible Malaysians can buy 300 litres of subsidised RON 95 at RM1.99 per litre every month. If the quota is used up, Malaysians will have to pay the unsubsidised rate for RON 95 from September 30 which is currently priced at RM2.60 per litre. Unused quota will not be carried forward to the next month. E-hailing and delivery drivers have no limit on the amount of subsidised fuel they can purchase.

The rollout of Budi95 will be done in phases:

• 27th Sep 2025: Police and Military
• 28th Sep 2025: Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients
• 30th Sep 2025: All Malaysians

So from 30th September, all eligible Malaysians will be able to enjoy the cheaper RM1.99 RON 95 rate! But how does this actually shake out?

Here is a comparison of 300 litres of RON95 expenditure before Budi 95, with Budi 95, and at market rates:

As shown in the table above, you can save up to RM2,196 a year if you fully utilise the subsidy. That is extra money that you can save or invest to grow your wealth. 

Outstanding Summons Update

According to the Star, outstanding summons may lead to your Budi95 entitlement being withdrawn. To ensure you continue enjoying Budi95 benefits without interruption, be sure to settle any unpaid summons promptly. You can use the MyJPJ app, MyBayar PDRM and MyEG websites or visit a post office to pay off your outstanding summons.

Who Qualifies for the BUDI95 Subsidy?

Eligibility for BUDI95 is intentionally broad and does not apply a strict household income ceiling. You qualify automatically if you meet all three core requirements:

1. Citizenship: You must be a Malaysian citizen holding a valid MyKad with an operational microchip.
2. Age & Identification: Aged 16 years old and above.
3. Active Driving Licence: You must hold a valid, unexpired Competent Driving Licence (CDL), Probationary Driving Licence (PDL), or Learner Driving Licence (LDL) registered with the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

Driving Licence Expiry Warning: If your driving licence has been expired for more than 3 years, JPJ considers it revoked. You will fail the online eligibility check until your licence status is updated or re-tested at a JPJ branch.

How to check Budi95 eligibility

Unfortunately, not everyone is eligible for the subsidy. Here are the steps you can follow to check your eligibility via the Budi Madani website. Do note that there is no English version as of writing:

Step 1: Visit the Budi Madani website

Visit the Budi Madani website and select layari laman untuk semakan kelayakan under the Budi Madani RON95 tab. You will be taken to the next page.

Step 2: Click check individual eligibility

On this page, click Semak Kelayakan Individu to proceed.

Step 3: Input your IC number

Here, input your IC number without spaces and complete the captcha verification if necessary. Then you can click Semak Kelayakan to view your results.

Step 4: Success!

If you are eligible, you will see the page below.

How to redeem Budi95

Depending on how you decide to pay, the process of redeeming Budi95 is different.

By card at the pump

1. Enter the amount and tap your card at the terminal.
2. Insert your MyKad and check your eligibility.
3. Start fueling!

By cash at the counter

1. Insert your MyKad and check your eligibility.
2. State the amount, pump number and pay.
3. Start fueling!

By Touch 'n Go eWallet

If you are paying by Touch 'n Go, open your TNG app and find the Budi95 service. It should appear under Recommended. If not, edit My Favourites and add Budi95.

Select Buy fuel when you are at a petrol station and a QR code will appear. Let the cashier scan your QR code and you can start refueling! 

On the Touch 'n Go app, you will also be able to see your:

• Eligibility,
• Budi95 balance,
• Budi95 and unsubsidised RON 95 price,
• And your purchase history.

If you have exceeded your 300 litre quota or do not qualify for Budi95, you can refuel as normal. You will be automatically charged the market price.

By petrol station app

If you are using the a petrol station app, the process is similar to using Touch 'n Go. We will use the Setel app for this example.

Open the Setel app and find the RON95 @ RM1.99 service.

You will be taken to the following page. Here, you can check your eligibility and the price for subsidised and unsubsidised RON 95. To check eligibility, ensure you have a verified account.

If you are verified, you will see the following page.

Once you are eligible, head to a Petronas petrol station and go through the following steps.

1. Tap purchase fuel.
2. Select the pump, pump amount (by RM or litre) and ensure Budi95 is turned on. Tap pay.
3. Start refueling! Your total usage will be displayed.

How Much Do You Actually Save? (Worked Ringgit Calculations)

The subsidised price of RM1.99/L represents a baseline saving of roughly RM0.61 per litre compared to the floating market price (~RM2.60/L).

1. Monthly & Annual Savings Table (Based on Usage)

What Happens When You Exceed Your Monthly 300L Quota?

Once you hit 300 litres within a calendar month, the fuel pump system automatically switches your pricing for any subsequent litres to the unsubsidised market rate. Your quota resets automatically on the 1st of every month.

Where to redeem Budi95

As of writing, there are 10 Budi95 partner petrol stations where subsidied RON 95 can be redeemed: 

• BPH
• Buraqoil
• Caltex
• Five Petroleum
• Petron
• Petronas
• Petros
• Shell
• Xcel
• Smart Stream

Special Cases & Exclusions

1. Non-Citizens & Foreign Vehicles

Non-Malaysian citizens and foreign-registered vehicles are strictly prohibited from purchasing subsidised RON95 or diesel. Non-citizens driving Malaysian-registered vehicles must purchase fuel at the unsubsidised market rate.

2. Full-Time E-Hailing Drivers (Grab, Indrive, etc.)

Verified full-time e-hailing drivers are eligible for an extended monthly RON95 quota (up to 800 litres per month) to accommodate heavy commercial mileage. Verification is synchronized directly through APAD and e-hailing operator registration databases.

3. Company-Registered Vehicles

Vehicles owned and registered under corporate business entities (Sdn Bhd / Bhd) do not qualify for BUDI95 personal subsidies. Commercial fleets must utilize fleet cards under the Subsidized Diesel Control System (SKDS) or commercial fuel mechanisms.

4. What About Diesel Vehicle Owners? (BUDI MADANI Diesel)

If you own a private diesel vehicle (e.g., pick-up truck or SUV), diesel subsidies are delivered under BUDI MADANI Diesel at RM2.10 per litre. Private diesel owners share a combined fuel quota system accessible directly at the pump using MyKad or e-wallets like Touch 'n Go eWallet after completing identity verification.

How this affects non-Malaysians

If you are a foreigner driving a Malaysia-registered vehicle, you can buy RON 95. However, you are not eligible for the Budi95 subsidy, which is reserved for Malaysians driving Malaysia-registered vehicles. As such, you will be charged the full market price of RON 95 rather than the subsidised RM1.99 rate.

For non-Malaysia-registered vehicles - Singapore or Thai registered cars entering Malaysia, pumping RON 95 is not permitted, even if the driver holds a valid Malaysian IC. Instead, foreign-registered vehicles must use RON 97 or other high-performance fuels which are sold at market rates without subsidy. This restriction is to prevent cross-border misuse of Malaysia's fuel subsidy and to ensure the benefits of Budi95 remain targeted to eligible Malaysians.

All in all, Budi95 is a paradigm shift in how Malaysian manages fuel subsidies - focusing on targeted support for Malaysians while curbing misuse. Citizens, e-hailing, and delivery drivers gain real savings when purchasing petrol, while foreign drivers pay the full market rate and have limited RON 95 access. By balancing affordability with fairness, Budi95 helps households manage expenses and ensures that the subsidy benefits are distributed more sustainably long term.